The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 5 April 2026 – He Is Risen!
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TOPIC: He Is Risen!
READ: John 20:1-18 (KJV)
1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.
4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.
6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
THE MESSAGE:
On this Easter morning, we gather to celebrate the most pivotal event in human history – the resurrection of Jesus Christ! The Christian faith is unique because our Lord and Saviour rose from the dead unlike other religious leaders. The Gospel of John tells us that on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning and found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty, prompting her to run and tell the disciples that Jesus’ body was missing (John 20:1-2). The two disciples rushed to the tomb, found the linen wrappings but no Body (John 20:6-7). This discovery led to a profound realisation: Jesus’ body was not missing – He had risen from the dead!
As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, we are reminded that this event is not just a historical fact, but a present reality that transforms our lives. Jesus’ resurrection demonstrates His power over sin and death, offering us forgiveness, new life, and eternal hope. As we worship on this Easter morning, may we, like Mary Magdalene, encounter the risen Jesus, be transformed by His presence and be compelled to share the good news with others.
PRAYER: Lord. Jesus, we rejoice with all the saints this Easter morning. May we continually walk in the power of Your resurrection and share the good news with others. Amen.
