April 21, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 49, 96, 148
Exodus 13:1-2, 11-16
1 Corinthians 15:51-58
Luke 24:1-12

II. Selections
Psalm 96:12b-13b
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
before the LORD; for he is coming,
for he is coming to judge the earth.

Exodus 13:13b
" ...Every firstborn male among your children you shall redeem. ..." [ Moses to the Israelites]

1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Luke 24:1
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, [ the women who had come with Jesus from Galilee] came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared.

III. Meditation: Prepared
When you come to judge the earth,
even the trees of the forest will be prepared
to sing for joy at your coming.

The Israelites had to be prepared
to redeem their firstborn sons,
as you have redeemed us.

With spices prepared for Christ's body,
the women who came with him from Galilee
went to the tomb ready to work.

They found no body,
but their labor was not wasted,
for in you we do not work in vain.