READ: Deuteronomy 21, 22; Psalm 87; Mark 16:1-8
SCRIPTURE: Mark 16: 1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body.
2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb
3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” |
4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.
OBSERVATION: Apparently, the women who went to the tomb of Jesus Christ were not expecting Jesus' resurrection. Because of their love for Jesus, they hurriedly came to the tomb early in the morning. In the Gospel of Mark, we see that Jesus was saying about his death and resurrection repeatedly before he came to Jerusalem (Mark:8-10). However, his disciples "did not understand" Jesus’ words(Mk.9:32). His disciples and these women were not prepared for Jesus' resurrection on the third day. On their way to the tomb, the big question they had was "Who will roll the stone away?" When they reached the tomb, they found the truth that the stone was already rolled away. They saw an empty tomb. Then they heard the great news about his resurrection. These women who first came to the tomb became the first witnesses for Jesus' resurrection. You may have heard about Frank Morrison's book, "Who moved the stones?" which was first published in 1930 during the Lent season. As a journalist, Morrison wanted to prove the resurrection story as a myth.. However, at the end of his study on Jesus' last seven days, Morrison became a believer of the resurrected savior Jesus. Even today, his book helps many people who are skeptical about the resurrection of Jesus to clear their doubts and to lead them to believe the historical faith of his resurrection. Indeed "He has risen!" .
APPLICATION: My Lord and savior Jesus is the one who won the death through his resurrection. He is alive today! I have no reason to disbelieve in his resurrection. I am happy that my faith is built on Jesus Christ. Jesus is continually touching the hearts of skeptics to believe in him. My faith in Jesus Christ is not futile. Since "“death is swallowed up in victory” in Jesus' resurrection, God gives me victory over sin (1 Cor.15: 17, 56,57). Hallelujah!
PRAYER: Father God, thank you for the hope, strength and joy that you give us through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus, help me to be a strong witness to your resurrection through my words and deeds. Amen.
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