Devotional: The Gifts of the Resurrection
Scripture:
“Jesus said, ‘Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, "I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”’”
— John 20:17 (NIV)
Reflection:
We often think of Easter as a single moment—Jesus walking out of the grave. And while that moment changes everything, the beauty of the resurrection isn’t just that Jesus rose from the dead. It’s that He brought something back with Him.
The resurrection is the return of a victorious King, and with that victory come gifts meant for you and me—gifts to carry us through the hardest days and anchor us in hope. Jesus brings us a personal connection with God, a divine purpose for our lives, and a peace that helps us endure. These aren’t lofty, far-off promises. These are real gifts for real people in real struggles.
So what are those gifts?
He gives us a personal connection with God. Not a distant deity, not a checklist of rules, not a religion to perform—but a relationship. The kind of relationship where God knows your name, sees your heart, and draws close even in your mess. For Mary, hearing her name spoken by Jesus was the moment everything changed. It still is for us. You may feel like just another face in the crowd, but God knows your name. He calls you with tenderness, not shame.
He gives us a purpose worth living for. This world tries to convince us that our value is in what we accomplish or how much we accumulate. But Jesus says, You were made for more. Whether you’re leading a company, caring for kids, or walking through recovery, your life is not meaningless. The resurrection proves that God can breathe life into what looks like loss. You have a mission. You matter in the Kingdom.
And He gives us peace to endure. Life is heavy sometimes. We face diagnosis, disappointment, death—and sometimes we’re just plain worn out. But Jesus steps into our locked rooms, our anxious hearts, our fear-filled thoughts, and He says, Peace be with you, not as a wish, but as a promise. That kind of peace isn’t found in self-help or perfect circumstances. It’s found in the presence of a risen Savior who has already won the war.
Jesus knows your name like He knew Mary’s. He knows your grief, your questions, and your doubts. But He doesn’t leave you in those things—He meets you in them and speaks life and truth over you. You don’t need to earn His love. You just need to be willing to receive it.
Prayer:
Jesus,
Thank You for the resurrection—for walking out of the grave and bringing gifts back with You. Thank You for the gift of connection, that I’m not alone or forgotten. Thank You for the gift of purpose, that my life has meaning no matter what I’ve done or where I’ve been. Thank You for the gift of peace, especially when life is anything but peaceful.
You know my name. You see my heart. You meet me in my doubts and grief, and You speak life into places I thought were dead. Help me to hear Your voice—just like Mary did—and respond with faith, not fear.
Teach me to live like these gifts are true. Let the resurrection change not just my future, but my every day. Amen.
Questions for the Week:
What does it look like for you to live with the peace of Christ today?
Have you ever struggled to believe that your life has a purpose? What if that purpose is already yours because of the resurrection?
Where in your week can you pause and connect personally with God—no filters, no performance, just honesty?
Who in your life needs to hear that there is a God who knows their name?
Media for Further Reflection:
Book:
“You Were Made for This Moment-Courage for Today and Hope for Tomorrow” – by Max Lucado
Book:
“Restless: Because You Were Made For More” by Jennie Allen
Video:
“The Bible Project: Gospel”
Video:
“Encountering the Risen King (Easter)”- Tim Keller
If you’re walking through doubt or hardship this week, lean into this: Jesus didn’t just defeat death—He brought gifts home to you. You’re not alone, and you’re not without hope. Let’s live like resurrection people.
