300 Days for 300 Years: A Commemorative Devotional of the Presbytery of Philadelphia
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Rev. Ethelyn R. Taylor, Oxford Presbyterian Church, Moderator of the Presbytery of Philadelphia (2004)

  • First Reading Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Response Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26
  • Second Reading Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13; Response Psalm 46:1-11
  • Third Reading Genesis 22:1-18; Response Psalm 16:1-11
  • Fourth Reading Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21; Response Exodus 15:1b-13, 17-18
  • Fifth Reading Isaiah 55:1-11; Response Isaiah 12:2-6
  • Sixth Reading Proverbs 8:1-8, 19-21;9:4b-6; Response Psalm 19:1-14
  • Seventh Reading Ezekiel 36:24-28; Response Psalm 42:1-11 and 43:1-5
  • Eighth Reading Ezekiel 37:1-14; Response Psalm 143:1-12
  • Ninth Reading Zephaniah 3:14-20; Response Psalm 98:1-9
  • Tenth Reading Romans 6:3-11; Response Psalm 114:1-8
  • Gospel Reading: Matthew 28:1-10

Bold in Their Faith

The Great Vigil of Easter

“With fear and great joy, they ran to tell his disciples….” (Matthew 28:8)

After most of the male disciples had fled for their lives, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary remained and witnessed Jesus’ crucifixion. Fearful and afraid, the women went to look for Jesus’ tomb early on the Sabbath morning. I am sure that they were extremely tired and emotionally drained.

We can only imagine what the women were thinking as they moved about in the dark cemetery looking for their master’s burial place. There was the fear that they could have been arrested by the Roman soldiers for trespassing. However, it was their deep love for Jesus and their boldness of faith that kept them going.

If we are honest, even with boldness of faith, we sometimes carry that bit of fear as we move into the unknown. However, we should never allow our fear to hinder us from sharing the “Good News” that Jesus Christ is alive! That is the Resurrection story that we must proclaim to the world!

Heavenly Father, thank you for our faith journey. Amen.