Christ is risen! While the world might be shaking, today we are honored to share this Easter Sunday devotional from Rev. Dr. Gregory G. Groover, Sr., pastor of Charles Street AME Church. Dr. Groover’s reflection reminds us that while empires fall and time reinterprets history, the victory of the Risen Savior remains eternal and unshakable. This message is a timely call to anchor our faith in the everlasting promise that Jesus lives—and because He lives, we are forever changed.

Note: This reflection is part of a Holy Week Devotional compiled by BMA TenPoint Pastors and Ministers. We invite you to read the other powerful reflections and also take part in Jesus and Justice Sunday on April 27, where clergy are invited to “do as Jesus commands and preach messages of Hope and Compassion, Mercy and Justice for the members of our communities who are suffering and are being labeled as targets.”

P.S. Did you know that the Western and Eastern Churches are celebrating Resurrection Sunday together this year? It’s a rare occasion. Click to read Archbishop Henning’s reflection and why he believes it’s a step towards unity

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ (Luke 24:1-7)

The only constant truth about this world is that it is ever changing. The paired dynamic of “come and go” has always been applicable to this entire world of all ages.

Since the beginning of time, empires emerged and then ended. Ruthless rulers rose and then were reduced to ruination. Trends took off and then transitioned into oblivion. Ideas and perspectives increased to their peak and then inevitably perished. Major events mushroomed to an extraordinary and enormous impact on millions everywhere and then in time had minimal effect and became merely irrelevant. Yes, even as history occurs, it is then repeatedly reinterpreted, revised, reconsidered, reshaped, and re-understood.

Nothing of this world is immune to change. George Benson put it best when he sang the words, “everything must change. Nothing stays the same. Everyone must change, nothing stays the same. The young becomes the old, mysteries do unfold. ‘Cause that’s the way of time. Nothing and no one goes unchanged.”

Not true. We know of one event that took place still enjoys total power. One event that occurred in the past still enjoys omnipotent presence. It is an event that occurred in this world but was truly not of this world.

It did not take place in any colossal-size colosseum with the countless of witnesses watching it. It did not happen in any prestigious palace or parliament where only the rich ruled and reigned. It didn’t even come to pass on a massive mountain where thousands could be miraculously fed with only five loaves and two fishes.

This one solitary event occurred on an early Sunday morning in an ungroomed graveyard. Jesus, Who had just been buried two days earlier was found missing from His tomb. The women saw, sitting in His place, an angel who told them, He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still with you in Galilee, “The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified, and on the third day be raised again!”

In other words, the angel was telling the women, “the truth that Jesus had repeatedly told you about His resurrection did not change. Not one slight iota of a change! As He indeed promised you this truth that He would rise again after being crucified so that you might live, so He did. Just as He said!”

It is this Resurrection Day truth that IS the one living truth that will never change. Without a doubt, it is the one changeless truth of all time that has yet changed humankind forever.

The hallelujah news that we celebrate today is that we are eternally changed solely because of this ever-abiding truth that never changes – and that is that Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord and Savior, has saved, still saves, and will always save! We, who believe that He rose from the dead to live again, have the never-ending blessed assurance that this Jesus was, is and shall always be the Same – Yesterday, Today and Forever!

So we say with confidence,”The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:6-8)

Gracious Lord Jesus, we thank you for your completed work on Calvary’s Cross, a work that secured our salvation. We also thank you for the Empty Tomb, the proof of the power of your resurrection! As we approach the Cross and the Empty Tomb, may we remember the Great Salvation you have purchased for us. May we remember that this is Good News for all the Earth. And may we share it freely and abundantly. It is in Your Name we pray. Amen