By Seyi Gesinde
April 6, 2026
Monday dawned quietly over Jerusalem, the city settling back into routine after the upheaval of the crucifixion, yet something had shifted. The tomb of JESUS CHRIST remained empty, and the women who first witnessed it, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, continued to speak of what they had seen and heard. Their testimony carried a weight that could not be ignored, “He is not here, for He is risen, as He said” Matthew 28:6. What began as a trembling report was now spreading through the city in cautious whispers.
The disciples stayed gathered indoors, most likely in the upper room, their doors shut out of fear and uncertainty. The memory of betrayal, trial, and crucifixion was still fresh. Though they had heard the women’s account, belief did not come easily. The words of JESUS CHRIST echoed back to them, “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again” Luke 24:7. On this Monday, they wrestled deeply with those words, standing between doubt and awakening faith.
Across Jerusalem, life continued outwardly unchanged. Traders reopened stalls, priests resumed temple duties, and pilgrims went about their business. Yet beneath the surface, the city was unsettled. Reports of the empty tomb circulated quietly. Some dismissed it, others pondered it, but none could completely ignore it. The atmosphere carried a strange tension, as though something profound had begun, yet had not fully revealed itself.
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The message given to the women became central to the day’s reflection, “Go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee, there you will see Him” Matthew 28:7. This promise began to redirect the thoughts of the disciples. Though JESUS CHRIST had not appeared publicly in Jerusalem on this day, the certainty of His word pointed them forward. Galilee was no longer just a place of past ministry, it had become the place of expected encounter.
Mary Magdalene and the other women remained steadfast, repeating what they had witnessed. Their conviction slowly pressed against the disciples’ fear. Another word lingered among them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me” Matthew 28:10. This instruction became the anchor of hope for the day, steadying hearts that had been shaken by loss.
As evening approached, Monday closed without spectacle, yet not without impact. There was no public appearance, no dramatic sign in the city, but something deeper was taking place. Fear had not fully lifted, grief had not completely faded, but hope had undeniably awakened. The followers of JESUS CHRIST remained in waiting, their hearts turning toward Galilee, holding onto His promise, and standing at the threshold of a revelation that would soon change everything.
