Greater Than it All - Encouragement for Today - April 5, 2026

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April 5, 2026

Greater Than It All
STACY J. LOWE

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“‘Mary!’ Jesus said. She turned to him and cried out, ‘Rabboni!’ (which is Hebrew for ‘Teacher’).” John 20:16 (NLT)

Editor’s Note: Today’s devotion is part of our Holy Week series! Journey with us as we experience the power of Jesus’ love, remember His sacrifice, and walk in the victory of His resurrection. We pray this series prepares your heart for the joy of Easter. Subscribe now.

The third day after Jesus’ crucifixion, Mary Magdalene arrived at His tomb to anoint her Lord’s body with spices and oils. But nothing was as she expected.

Not only was the stone rolled away from the entrance, but Jesus was no longer there. After telling the disciples what she had found, she returned to the tomb and wept. She thought Jesus' body had been stolen.

It was then she noticed two angels inside the tomb. They asked why she was crying, but she still didn't recognize what was happening. Turning, she saw another man, who she believed to be the gardener, and He asked her the same. She begged to know where Jesus’ body was so she could go and retrieve it.

Then the man spoke again: “‘Mary!’ Jesus said. She turned to him and cried out, ‘Rabboni!’ (which is Hebrew for ‘Teacher’)” (John 20:16).

At the sound of her name on Jesus’ lips, everything changed for Mary.

She suddenly realized she hadn’t been talking to the gardener at all; it was her Rabboni. Her friend. The Nazarene who had delivered her from demons, the man she trusted, the One she had pinned all her hopes and dreams on, only to watch Him die on the cross. She was now face-to-face with that man — the living, breathing Jesus Himself! Everything she thought she knew about Him paled in comparison to the truth of her risen Savior standing right there in front of her.

This Easter Sunday, let’s not rush past the enormity of this moment: If even death itself couldn’t defeat Jesus, what ever could?

This is incredible news with life-altering implications, not just for Mary but for us too. Because if Jesus did indeed walk right out of the grave, then by default, no matter what we may face, He’s greater.

He’s greater than our sickness. Greater than our weakness. Greater than our suffering. Greater than our confusion. Greater than our doubts.

He’s greater than the worry that keeps you tossing and turning all night.
He’s greater than that regret you can’t seem to shake.
He’s greater than your past.
He’s greater than your present.
He’s greater than those parts of you that you pray no one sees.
He’s greater than your success.
He’s greater than your failure.
He’s greater than your highest high and greater than your lowest low.
He’s greater than your fears about tomorrow and greater than your hopes for today.

Best of all? He’s greater than your sin, which He nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14).

And because He’s greater, nothing scares Him off, not even your worst self. He can handle it all. And He wants to! What better gift could there ever be?

Let’s rejoice and be glad that Jesus didn’t just live 2,000-plus years ago — He still lives and remains greater than it all. Even today. Praise God!

Father, thank You that Jesus didn’t just die to pay for my sins; He also rose again. May I always stand amazed that He truly is greater than it all. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

Today we celebrate the resurrection — the moment that proves the cross was not the end of the story. Because Jesus rose, hope gets the last word. And because He rose, a relationship with Him is possible — not built on our effort but on His finished work. Easter isn’t only something we remember; it’s something we’re invited into. If you’ve ever wondered what it truly means to know Jesus — not just know about Him — we invite you to explore what a personal relationship with Him looks like. You can learn more about who He is, what He accomplished, and how His resurrection changes your life today when you click here! The empty tomb isn’t just good news for then. It’s good news for you, right now.

ENGAGE

Connect with today’s devotion writer, Stacy J. Lowe, and see her stunning photography by following her on Facebook or Instagram!

FOR DEEPER STUDY

Romans 8:38-39, “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (NLT).

Jesus never promised us an easy life. But He does promise never to leave us alone for a single moment of it. Every second of every day, we are saturated in the love of God. All it takes is one look at the cross to see the depth of that love — and one look at the empty tomb to recognize the extraordinary power behind it all. No matter what you’re up against today, you can have hope because Jesus lives and Jesus loves!

How does the love of Jesus, who is greater than it all, offer you hope today? We’d love for you to share about it in the comments.

© 2026 by Stacy J. Lowe. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org