“He has risen; He is not here!”
Scripture reading for January 23rd: Mark 16, Psalm 16, Proverbs 16
Mark 16: 1-6 “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 and tell His disciples and Peter that He is going before you to Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you.””
Mark describes how the women who followed Jesus came on the first of the week to the tomb where they had witnessed Jesus’ body being laid three days before. They came to anoint His body with spices so that the smell of decaying flesh would be covered. As they came, they wondered how they might access the tomb. The rolling stone door was very heavy. But their fears were soon dispelled by the open door! Inside, they found a young man in white. He calmed their fears by telling them the good news, Jesus Christ was not there anymore! He was alive and risen from the grave! He invited them to view the tomb and HIs resting place. It was empty, except for carefully folded grave-clothes! They were instructed to tell His disciples He would see them in Galilee!
Psalm 16:9-11 “Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right had are pleasures forevermore.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing and steadfast love demonstrated for us through the giving of Your Son to bear our sins on the cross. Thank You that You did not allow Your Son’s body to decay or keep Him in Sheol, but raised Him to life eternal at Your right hand! I offer myself today to go and tell others that they may become disciples! I long for Your eternal presence and pleasures!
Proverbs 16:6 “By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.”
0 thoughts on ““He has risen; He is not here!””