He Is Risen: A Powerful Easter Devotional on Prayer from Matthew 28:2–6

Standing Before the Empty Tomb

Today we stand before the tomb where Jesus laid. In this blessed scripture we see the powerful hand of God in action. We see divine promise fulfilled and we see the wonder of heaven revealed.

Scripture: Matthew 28:2–6

“And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from

heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His

countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: and for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭ 2‬-‭6‬ ‭

Why This Passage Matters

Matthew 28:2-6 is one of my favorite verses of scripture. There are so many beautiful things packed into this text but today prayer is my focus. If you haven’t read my devotion on Ask, Seek, Knock, you can find it here as a companion to this message.

What We See in This Resurrection Moment

We see the sign that drew attention, the earthquake. We see the angel of the Lord descend from heaven. We see the impact this arrival had on the keepers. We see the message that is given. He is risen.

Prayer Woven Into the Resurrection Story

Glory pours forth from heaven and opens up the pages of prayer. Heaven crashes to earth and the door swings open. Prayer is woven throughout the layers of this text. It is a quiet but powerful example of prayer for us today. “He says unto the women… I know that ye seek Jesus.” Prayer is seeking our heavenly Father who has the answers stored in His home in heaven.

Mary Magdalene’s Example of Seeking Jesus

This woman, Mary Magdalene, went looking for Jesus. She sought the one who had changed her eternity. There at the tomb she found the stone rolled away and the answer to the question on her heart sat before her.

She sought with all her heart, God sent the answer in an earth shaking way. In a way that would grab and hold her attention. “Fear not.” the angel cried. “He is risen.”

A Call to Seek Jesus in Prayer

We must do as Mary did. Seek Jesus with all our heart. Keep pressing upward in prayer until the answer comes down in a life altering way.

I can imagine the look on Mary's face that day. It doesn’t get more clear than the earth shaking and an angel of the Lord sitting before you.

Jesus Is Risen and Interceding for Us

Jesus has risen. He is in glory at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf day and night. Don’t waste another minute worrying about the things you can’t control.

Take everything to Jesus. He never stops praying, never stops speaking to God on our behalf. There is nothing too big or too small for prayer. If it is important to us, it is important to God.

Keep Seeking Until the Answer Comes

Seek Jesus today. He will send His messengers to respond to your prayers. Keep seeking until the answer arrives. It may not show up exactly how you expect it to but it will surely show up. God always answers in His time, in His way.

Closing Prayer

Father, Easter is right around the corner. Each year we have the opportunity to remember Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. We also have this opportunity to see this beautiful structure of prayer that Jesus wove into this text. I pray this Matthew 28:2-6 devotion stirs up a heart of prayer and devotion for the reader. Father, thank You for all the help You give, even when we may not see it right away. I pray to seek You with all that is within me. Draw nigh to me so I can draw nigh to Thee. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A Love Like No Other

In the devotion “A Love Like No Other” in my book His Name Is Jesus, you will discover that falling is not always falling. Falling in love with the Savior of the world is the greatest falling we will ever experience. Have you experienced this wonderful transformation? If not, I pray you do today. The gift of salvation awaits anyone willing to accept it.

CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY IN PRAYER

This post is just a starting point. If you would like to read this full devotion and continue

exploring the beautiful depths of prayer as I have learned through every aspect of my life, my Secret Place devotional series is what you have been searching for.

These books open up the innermost parts of my prayer life, offering reflections and guidance to help you in your own journey of deep intimacy with God as He has taught me.

From a tiny paperclip to the roots of a tree deep in the soil, God’s fingerprints are everywhere. It is easy to overlook the simple, mundane, everyday things in life that God uses to guide us into a closer walk with Him.

No matter what season you’re in, the promise of God’s word is still true: God hears, God answers, and God opens doors.

👉 Begin your journey here: 

Secret Place devotional series