Scripture Reading: Matthew 27:32-50, Galatians 2:19-20, Luke 24:36-49, 1 Corinthians 15:12-22
I tend to find myself on the far end of a pendulum, but which side I’m on is ever-changing. There are seasons when I spring out of bed, work out, conquer my task list, and sign up for more. Then, there are those seasons when I wake up wiped out from my toddler’s wake-ups (my smartwatch just told me there were nine last night), the house is a mess from yesterday, and the one singular task I have (such as, let’s say, writing a devotional for She Reads Truth) feels as impossible as climbing Mount Everest.
I think we all know what it’s like to swing back and forth on the pendulum of wide-eyed to weary.
As I read today’s passages, I think about the tendency I have in my faith to zoom in on either mourning or dancing, as if there’s only room for one at a time. But it doesn’t take much living to learn that our lives are regularly full of both. New babies and recent deaths. New successes and recent failures. New hopes and recent despair.
For the Christian, mourning and dancing go together, side-by-side at the same time. I think we forget this truth, even though the reality of it goes much deeper than our circumstances. We are born into mourning, and we live each day in its aftermath. On one side of our constant war is our sin—the very sin that Jesus bore for us when He suffered and died on a cross. On the other is the joy and hope that Christ’s resurrection secures for us. We are sinners who sinned as recently as five minutes ago (or five seconds ago), but we who have surrendered our lives to Christ have been “made alive” (1Corinthians 15:22). Somehow, that life is vibrant and purposeful and beautiful even here, even now, in the land of suffering.
So what do we do with that tension? How do we hold both mourning and dancing? How do we look upon the reality of Jesus’s death and also regard the glory of His resurrection? I think one answer is that we keep God’s Word on our minds and lips, lest we swing into despair or naivety.
Resist the pendulums today. Resist crumbling in despair over that stupid thing you said to your spouse or that selfish decision you made. Resist obsession over the fluffy and light things in this world that promise comfort and joy but cannot deliver.
Instead, read these truths from Scripture and remember: Christ has died and Christ is risen. You’re forgiven! You can dance! Because of Jesus, our way is not to wallow in the reality of sin and death or to pretend that our joy somehow cancels out our heartbreak and loss. The world will hold both until Christ comes back, and so must our hearts.
Written by Scarlet Hiltibidal
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56 thoughts on "The Death and Resurrection of Christ"
We must hold both
SHES- Iwent ovrr to He Reads Truth (Bob Bunn-devo today) and saw this prayer in the comment section. Thought I’d share! ❤ Love, hugs,and prayers!
“Thomas Mason says:
May 12, 2026 at 6:56 am
Day 2
Lord, I come to You looking to understand what Your death and resurrection mean for me right now.
I see what You’ve done, but I still feel the weight of my own sin and the pull of old patterns that don’t seem to let go easily.
Nevertheless, I believe that Your death was enough and that Your resurrection has power over what I still struggle with.
Help me to take sin seriously without losing sight of the grace You’ve given, and strengthen me where I feel weak.
I trust that because You are alive, I am not stuck where I am, and change is possible even if it feels slow.
I will continue to look to You and give thanks for what You have already accomplished, even as I work through what remains.”
God is a Spirit. I was thinking about this. God has emotions and one of ways that we manifest that we are created in the image of God is that we “feel”. We were wired to have an emotional response to situations.
Many many times in the gospels it says: Jesus was moved with compassion. This would cause Him to reach out and touch and heal someone.
I am thinking about this in terms of God; who God is and how He relates to us. ( This is a fragment).
Jesus, the God man is our great high priest knows the human experience.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested, every way we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15
Jesus prays for us. It would be a tragedy if Jesus had just died but because of his death ,burial and resurrection Jesus lives forever in heaven, actively praying for an on behalf of believers.
Romans 8:34 affirms Christ Jesus is at the right hand of God and is also intercedeing for us.
I’m not a person who likes to sit in mourning but I’ve realized that God created us with emotions. They are not bad but as I’ve heard someone say, our emotions can ride in the car with us but don’t have to allow them to drive the car!!
Since I am someone who can live in my feelings, I’ve realized that just like Scarlet said, we have to keep God’s word on our minds and our lips so we don’t sink in despair and fear!
God loves us so much! We just have to run to Him!
Praying for all!
Praying! This sounds so exciting but also so hard. Praying you will continue to have peace.
hi! I need intercessory prayer! my daughters bedroom door had the hole like burned out of it this morning. like the metal was bent back and scratched my hand when I went to open it. I sent it to my husband and he was like I know we would have noticed this before. there’s no way it could have been a human. I have a dog and we don’t even lock her door. it doesn’t make any natural sense!! I just called my pastors wife to come by this afternoon but please pray over us as well.
Amen! Jesus, thank You!
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Thank you Lord for your incredible sacrifice for us. For your forgiveness, grace and mercy and that you are our living hope. Thank you that you walk beside us in mourning and dancing and for the promises and truth you give to us. Keep our eyes on you Jesus. Amen
Welcome to so many new SRT sisters. This is a wonderful way to study, learn and grow. :)
GM She’s!
I love this focus of scripture today! Jesus’ suffering on the cross and the joy of his resurrection soon after! Only 3 days of the unknowing, loss, brokeness. Although it didn’t solve the fear and problems that still lay ahead, it confirmed everything that really matters to them and to us today. We can live with both, knowing life is hard, but we have a hope and future after this life! That death has no sting, and no hard end. We will rejoice and be made whole and complete, no sorrow, no aches or pains physically, and dancing and jumping again! I will even be able to sing well!
It is interesting as I talk to so many people going through struggles and problems, we think that one thing being solved will instantly fix it all. Yet, it when and if it happens, there is more problems right around the corner, just like the disciples. They did get their miracle…yet, the hard just kept coming. Does that make sense?
We keep longing for things to change, and then it does, and we long for things to change. I once heard the phrase that spoke on this “bloom where you are planted,” and it stuck. Don’t wait for the next season…if only I get that job, if only I could have a child, if only I could be married, if only I was released from jail, if only God would heal my chronic pain…! On and on we want out of our mourning season, yet, it doesn’t take away all the suffering behind and ahead. We must bloom where we are planted. Right smack dab in the dessert, the fire, the lion’s den, the pit, and in front of the giant. We radiant God’s love and his hold on our life. We get up and dance and sing regardless. Just like Paul and Silas! They were scourge and beaten and put in a cell shackled and ….they praised! And it changed! Paul would go on to have many times to mourn but instead it danced through a shipwreck, a deadly snake bite, through a major storm on a boat, and in a prison. He shows us the importance of getting through the trials while carrying Jesus with us and remaining strong and steadfast in Him.
The more we have that same unshakable faith the more we bloom through all season. We can lament and be sad at the same time but we give off a fragrant Spirit and show beauty at the same time! With Jesus the Spirit holds us firm in comfort, peace, gentleness, love, and joy. It is by him, and not ourselves! I am grateful I can live in that truth, knowing whatever comes tomorrow, he is my rock and anchor. Amen. I have purpose in the trials to show Jesus strength in me!! :)
This is so deep and good. I am good to read it twice!
I am glad sweet Tanya. Truly writing here on SRT daily has grown and deepened my relationship with the Lord. Journaling is good. I told my husband when I die and he truly wants to “know” my relationship with the Lord, all he has to do is come to SRT.
Thank you, Jesus, for Your mind boggling sacrifice and resurrection in the fulfillment of Scripture from old, and that we can come to You in sorrow and joy. Hallelujah!
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Living Hope, Phil Wickham (written by Phil Wickham, Brian Mark Johnson)
Chorus:
Hallelujah, praise the One who set me free
Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me
You have broken every chain
There’s salvation in Your name
Jesus Christ, my living hope
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Don Francisco, He’s Alive –
Chorus:
He’s alive yes He’s alive
Yes He’s alive and I’m forgiven
Heaven’s gates are open wide
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LAURA DAVIS – praying for your and your family in the grief
KIMBERLY Z – yes, the power of God. Thank you for your testimony and where life is today compared to 4 years ago. I clearly remember your posts as we prayed through your dad’s recovery.
GINA CONTI – praying, sister, for the Lord’s comfort as you grieve this painful, heartbreaking loss.
VICTORIA E – good to see you!
MARGARET W – good to see you! praying as you and your daughter adjust, and praying she turns back to the Lord during her stay.
JORDAN DRENNAN – praying as you continue to mourn the homegoing of your grandmother
AMY NERO praying as you miss your grandmother and rejoice over her being with Jesus
SANDI MCAVINEY, PEY S and others missing their moms – praying for the Lord’s comfort
TRACI GENDRON ❤️ praying for Debbie and her sister
EMILY B, DR JAMIE SHOCKLEY OWENS, MELANIE BURZYNSKI, ELIZABETH DUNKERSON – praying for you and others who have lost their dad
MIA FAITH praying as you continue to miss your loved ones lost in hard circumstances, thankful the Lord is near.
TRICIA C – praying, sister, for these relationships and salvation for your prodigals
MARI V – praying for your friend
MARIA B what a beautiful image
CEE GEE ❤️
TINA ❤️
MERCY ❤️
“Christ has died and Christ is risen. You’re forgiven! You can dance!”
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For me, who has “two left feet” when it comes to dancing – I pray that I might gracefully learn this beautiful dance of mourning and rejoicing. Because I know from experience that beauty comes from ashes and even though there are tears in the night – joy comes in the morning.
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If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. ~ I Corinthians 15:19
…Praise God for the promise of heaven! We have SO much to look forward to as we await our forever home with Jesus!
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@Laura Davis, @Gina Conti, @Jordan Drennan, @Elizabeth Dunkerson, @Anna Faith and all other sisters here who have recently lost a loved one – May God give you peace and abundant grace as you process your loss and your grief. May He bring you under the shadow of His wing and comfort your hearts. You are all in my prayers. ❤️
@Margaret W – welcome back to SRT, praying for your adjustment to having your daughter move back home.
@Tricia C – my heart breaks for you and with you over your lost children. We are all praying for them and all the other prodigals on our list. My heart breaks even more that you are not allowed to see your grandchildren. Praying that God works some miracles in your family. ❤️
@Emily B, @Karen Higgs, and @anyone else new to SRT – Welcome, you’ve come to the right place!❤️
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Happy Tuesday She’s may you be blessed today!
Beautifully said with great wisdom.
Amen
Thank you for this devotional today Scarlet. You captured what it is to mourn and dance and how we are created to do both simultaneously!
“As they were saying these things, he himself stood in their midst. He said to them, “Peace to you! ” But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. “Why are you troubled? ” he asked them. “And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” Having said this, he showed them his hands and feet.”
Luke 24:36-40
I loved that today’s reading included the scriptures above, and these words truly jumped out to me because I felt like the Lord was speaking them directly to my heart this morning. He was offering peace, while also gently asking me, “Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your heart?”
It was such a sweet reminder to trust Him more deeply, to bring Him my worries, fears, and doubts instead of carrying them on my own. To trust that He is able to carry those burdens for me and to walk in His peace instead of living weighed down by anxiety and worry.
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Amen
Amen❤️
Matthew shows us the suffering and sacrificial love of Christ
Galatians reminds us that our old life is crucified with Him.
Luke reveals the living Christ standing among His disciples in peace.
1 Corinthians promises that because He lives, we too will be made alive.
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“For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.” 1 Corinthians 15:22
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Jesus, Your cross humbles me because it reveals both the depth of my sin and the depth of Your love. Teach me not to rush past mourning, but to bring my sorrow honestly before You. And yet, do not leave me there. Remind me that the tomb is empty, death is defeated, and because You live, I have hope. Help me live today with both repentance and resurrection joy, trusting that in You all things will be made alive.
Amen!
Amen!
Amen!
Oh the tension! Ladies- please pray for my family. My husband got a speeding ticket in a county that takes everyone to court (in another state). We got an attorney, paid the ticket and did all the things asked of us. However, we just found out that the attorney never paid the courts and so our state has suspended his license. He is supposed to travel for work tomorrow… please pray that somehow we can get some temporary solution to the problem today. And to add insult to injury our daughter has been up sick all night long so I got no sleep. There seems to be no dancing in this moment and I am weary.
Praying this can be sorted out swiftly and that you connect with the right person who will review your receipts and copies of your correspondence with attorney & the other state to speed things along. Could the other state have misapplied the payment? If the attorney truly failed to forward your payment, he should be reported.
Praying your daughter recovers quickly!
Praying this morning for this situation. May God give you peace as He works out all the details, according to His will. ❤️
Praying over this whole situation right now. I’m so sorry.
Praying for your daughter and for a quick solution to this ticket issue!
The tension is indeed real, pulling at us at all times.
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The movie Inside Out keeps coming to mind. The scene where Joy realizes Riley needs Sadness to process her situation…we do as well.
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Praying for your requests, especially for you going through a fresh loss of a loved one.
Pulling at us at all times …. so true.
every day I start with God’s Word
Yes! Me too ❤️
As the writer of Hebrews tells us, we must press through the weight and despair of sin that wants to drag us down – looking to Jesus “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” As the devotion pointed out, it’s easy to get focused on one or the other – death or resurrection, but in a span of three days, look what was accomplished! Our sins forgiven and our eternal future secured.
Thank You Jesus!!
I recently lost my dad to cancer. After I said goodbye to him and he moved to Heaven, I cried for days. I try to forget about it and stay busy because I do not want to sit in this season of Mourning. The more I try to run from my feelings. The more it catches up with me and it hits me during worship at church I just cry during worship. I feel like Jesus is holding me letting me know it is ok to Mourn. I just do not want to feel these feelings of loss. So I am praying God helps me to turn it into Joy. One day I will be happy again. My little boy looks just like my Dad. I know that I have to raise my son and my daughter the way my Dad raised me to Love Jesus. I just try to remember all the amazing things my dad taught me. I have been putting on worship music and crying in my car and just let myself sit in this sadness. Because one day I will rejoice with my Dad when I move to heaven and for now I will teach my kids to Love Jesus the way he taught me.
Anna I am so sorry for your loss. Praying God’s peace and comfort as you learn to do life without your dad. What a beautiful legacy of faith he left behind. ❤️
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I can so relate to you—I lost my stepdad to cancer a few months ago. It’s so hard to grieve well when you have small children and everything with them feels so immediate. My pastor did a sermon on the theology of grief back before my stepdad died, and it was so helpful for me. Our mourning reminds us that life wasn’t supposed to be this way. Death and sadness were not part of God’s plan for us. I think allowing ourselves to feel grief and all the feelings that go with it points us to what God has for us, both here and in eternity. It’s not easy to feel that way, but it can also be such an important growing experience.
Oh, so sorry for the loss of your dad! I also lost my dad at a young age. I feel like trying to avoid mourning is like that game “whack-a-mole”…you can push it down in one place but it will pop back up somewhere else. It’s exhausting. Sitting in the grief is also exhausting, but when Jesus carries you and His grace meets you in each moment it becomes (more) bearable. ❤️
We love you and are here for you, Anna. I’m so sorry you’re going through such hard loss. Praying over you now
Praying for you Anna! What a gift that your son looks like your dad! It is ok to grieve!
There will always, I think be a tension between mourning and dancing,!
Mourning is a heart breaking, heart shattering feeling of no return to what was, a change from all that was known and now, never will be again!
Dancing, is joyfilled, and a rhythmic, or not, movement in the moment, it can last a while or not it is a choice, we choose to move with the rhythm of the beat.
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The two are poles apart, and yet, there IS room for the two to coexist in a heart that is held by God..
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I am remembering and tears come as I do , the day of my baptism, five years to the day of Julee being called home. Oh, the sadness that she was not there to witness my being ‘dunked’ in the water, and my rising out a ‘new’ being in Christ, and yet there was joy in my heart..
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This is an excerpt from my diary entry that day..
It breaks my heart that Julee is not here today to witness this, but my heart is warmed to know that because of her, because of Julee, I stand here today..
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I followed it up with Psalm 30:11-12..
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You have changed my sadness into a joyful dance,
You have taken away my sorrow,
And surrounded me with joy,
So I will not be silent, I will sing praise to you, Lord,
YOU are my God, I will give you thanks forever..
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It was and is never easy..
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BUT GOD..
And WITH God, it is a little easier to navigate this life with its tensions and confusions with a joy only HE can bring..
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Singing praises through the tears, as the memories of how far I have come on this journey that is mine and mine alone.
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Amen..
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Praying you the best of day, my loves..
Dance like there’s nobody watching,
Love like you’ll never be hurt,
Sing like there’s nobody listens,
And live like it’s heaven on earth..
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He is near in ALL circumstances.. Praise the Lord..
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Much love, always covered in prayers and hugs wrapped in Hope..
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Tina ❤️
I receive your bleßing on my day, Tina.
Thank you
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Oh Tina, thank you for sharing these words today and for Psalm 30. I’m going to choose to dance today along with the mourning ❤️
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Love you sweet Tina!
Amen, Tina!!
The tension is great, but what a blessing that it’s there. If it were only mourning without the glorious dancing… what a heartbreak that would be.
Amen
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Good morning! This is so so good today and so what my heart needs in my grief. Thank you Jesus!! Praying for you all x
oh Scarlett. Thank you so much for this devotional. These passages are like our lives — mourning and dancing. Mourning Jesus death and dancing with joy in his resurrection. Every day we experience mourning, and we experience joy. Through it all praise God that our beloved Lord Jesus is our solid ground, comforter and dance partner. Blessings to all She’s as we read these passages together
You got me singing “On Christ the solid rock I stand…all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand!