Tag Archives: resurrection

Bible Gleanings, devotions

Grace for the Guilty | Bible Gleanings | March 1-2, 2025

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The women who discovered the empty tomb were frozen by fear, but it was time to get moving. This was not the time for fascination, but rather, for proclamation. The angel commanded them to hightail it and spread the good news to the brokenhearted disciples (Matthew 28:7). The eternally significant message of Jesus’ resurrection would not reach the others by their staring into the tomb, but through their sharing that it was empty. “Go,” declared the angel, “tell them all the good news. And make sure you track down Peter. Whatever you do, don’t forget to tell Peter” (cf. Mark 16:7).

Peter. His name was as good as mud. He caved underneath the weight of fear and denied his Lord not once, but three times (Mark 14:66-72). The most outspoken disciple failed to speak up for Jesus. He messed up big time, and weeping bitterly in the shadows, he disappeared from the scene. “It’s all over now,” he must have thought. “I can never be saved. Jesus will never forgive me. I’m done for.”

But the angel’s message was clear: Peter’s story was not over. The risen and victorious Lord was calling him back by name. Even after such a humiliating failure, Jesus did not write Peter off. He wanted him to know that He was alive, and eagerly awaited their reunion. Only a few hours prior, Jesus had bought Peter with a price, paid for his sin of betrayal with His life, and now testified through His resurrection that God had accepted the atoning work of His beloved Son.

Perhaps there are times when you feel like Peter: “Well, that’s it then. I am too sinful to be forgiven. I’ve messed up too much.” But Jesus’ message of grace is for you, too. If you had accompanied those women 2,000 years ago, the angel would say to you: “Jesus hasn’t written you off. He still loves you. He wants you to be forgiven.” And Peter would be the first sinner to tell you that you cannot out-sin the grace of the Lord Jesus. As a matter of fact, He died and was raised for you, knowing that you have blown it: “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).

This devotional column is from my newest book, 40 Days with Jesus, which is a forty-day daily devotional focusing on the life, teachings, and miracles of Jesus. This book is available in hardcover and paperback on Amazon:

Brandon is the pastor of Bandana Baptist Church in Bandana, Kentucky, where he lives with his wife, Dakota, and their three dogs, Susie, Aries, and Dot. Brandon and Dakota are also foster parents through Sunrise Children’s Services of Kentucky. Brandon is also a published author and a religious columnist for the Advance Yeoman newspaper in Ballard County, Kentucky. He is also a devotional contributor for Kentucky Today, a news publication of the Kentucky Baptist Convention. His columns are also featured in the Times-Argus newspaper of Central City, Kentucky, West Kentucky News of western Kentucky, and the online blog, Reforming the Heart.

Bible Gleanings, devotions

He Is Alive | Bible Gleanings – March 30-31, 2024

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There are many iconic tombs around the world, each one famous for what they contain. Egypt’s towering pyramids are notorious for housing the mummified bodies of ancient pharaohs and their treasures. The royal tombs of Westminster Abbey are renowned because they are the resting place of English nobles. The Green Dome in Saudi Arabia is distinguished because it holds the body of Muhammad, the founder of Islam. The legendary Ming Tombs in China contain the bodies of thirteen emperors who reigned during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.).

The stone tomb of Jesus Christ of Nazareth is remarkable as well, but not because of what is inside, for it is empty! Jesus was buried in a borrowed tomb after His brutal crucifixion and He rose victorious from the grave three days later. The Bible tells the story:

“When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you” (Mark 16:1-7).

The female followers of Christ expected to find a lifeless body after what they witnessed on Calvary’s hill. The remaining disciples fled into hiding, fearing that the Jews would also execute them (John 20:19). Even Peter, the most outspoken disciple, had fled for his life after three times denying Christ (Luke 22:54-62). None of Jesus’ disciples waited by the tomb for His triumphal resurrection. Their doubt and fear, however, had no effect on reality: Jesus had indeed risen bodily, defeating the power of sin and death.

Do you believe that Christ arose from the dead as Lord? Believing that He is the risen Lord is the only belief that saves. The apostle Paul wrote, “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). If you have believed, are you telling others about Him? “Go quickly and tell,” the risen Lord commands (Matt. 28:7a). Spread the news that the tomb is empty, and that all who believe in Christ have everlasting life!

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

Power from Another | Bible Gleanings – October 7-8, 2023

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It was dead as a doorknob, and my efforts to revive it were fruitless. I tried everything to resuscitate my wife’s car battery, but it was lifeless from sitting too long. No matter how many times I turned the key or wished with all my heart for an engine roar, it refused to start. The battery also couldn’t recharge itself as it required power from another source. It was dead and needed new life.

But once I connected to my fully-charged battery, what was dead came alive! And this is what occurs in the hearts of all believers at the momentous moment of their conversion. As sinners, we are born spiritually dead and lifeless, and we cannot revive ourselves (Eph. 2:1). No amount of wishing or trying can bring our dead hearts back to life. Only when we are connected to God’s regenerating grace by the cable of faith do we experience new life—and that’s a “battery” stronger than any Duracell.

We exit the tomb of spiritual death when Christ raises us to life, just as He raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:43-44). Lazarus couldn’t revive himself—he was dead. Lazarus couldn’t do good works to earn Christ’s favor—he was dead. Lazarus couldn’t even ask Jesus to resurrect his body because he was dead. Christ accomplishes this awesome work of regeneration without any assistance from man because He is the “resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). 

And the Lord promises this to all who experience this death-to-life saving work: “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules” (Ezekiel 36:26-27). Has the battery of your heart been revived by God’s life-giving grace?

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

The Empty Tomb | Bible Gleanings – April 16-17, 2022

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There are many iconic tombs around the world, each one famous for what it contains. Egypt’s towering pyramids are notorious for housing the mummified bodies of ancient pharaohs and their treasures. The royal tombs of Westminster Abbey are renowned because they are the resting place of English nobles. The Green Dome in Saudi Arabia is distinguished because it holds the body of Muhammad, the founder of Islam. The legendary Ming Tombs in China contain the bodies of thirteen emperors who reigned during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.).

The stone tomb of Jesus Christ of Nazareth is remarkable as well—not because of what is inside, but because it is empty! Jesus was buried in a borrowed tomb after His brutal crucifixion and He rose victorious from the grave three days later. The Bible tells the story: 

“When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you” (Mark 16:1-7).

The female followers of Christ expected to find a lifeless body after what they witnessed on Calvary’s hill. The remaining disciples fled into hiding, fearing that the Jews would also execute them (John 20:19). Even Peter, the most outspoken disciple, had fled for his life after three times denying Christ (Luke 22:54-62). None of Jesus’ disciples waited by the tomb for His triumphal resurrection. Their doubt and fear, however, had no effect on reality: Jesus had indeed risen bodily, defeating the power of sin and death.

Do you believe that Christ arose from the dead as Lord? Believing that He is the risen Lord is the only belief that saves. The apostle Paul wrote, “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). If you have believed, are you telling others about Him? “Go quickly and tell,” the risen Lord commands (Matt. 28:7a). Spread the news that the tomb is empty, and that all who believe in Christ have everlasting life.

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).