Key Passage
The women were very afraid and confused. They left the tomb and ran away. The women did not tell about what happened, because they were afraid.
— Mark 16:8 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key Thought
Mark wanted us to know two crucial things about Jesus. First, Jesus was mighty and powerful, something even the demons recognized and feared. Second, despite all of his power, he submitted himself to the will of God and went to the Cross to ransom us from sin and death. Mark knows Jesus was raised from the dead. But he uses the women and their bewildered fear to remind us of the resurrection—not because they doubted, but because they believed. Jesus changed everything in their understanding of the Messiah, the Son of God. (Mark 1:1) He was willing to go to the Cross even though he clearly had the power to prevent it. His dying didn't fit and they couldn't understand how this could be so. All their hopes had been dashed with his crucifixion and their lives are ruined with his death. On this morning, however, they found out he was raised from the dead and they were told this good news by an angel at Jesus' empty tomb. How could they not be bewildered and fearful? Their worlds were forever changed. If Jesus could rise from the dead, then what would happen next? If they followed Jesus, what could the resurrected Jesus do through them? And if Jesus could use them to "turn the world upside down" with his message and his follower's courage, what can he do with us? So let's join these faithful women at the empty tomb, bewildered and frightened, but full of expectation at the thought of what lies ahead for us!
Prayer
O God, release the resurrection power of Jesus in our day and in our lives. Empower us to live for you and impact our world in a similar way to how these first followers of Jesus impacted their world. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Related Scriptures
Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit. He said to them, "Leaders of the people and you older leaders: Are you questioning us today about the good thing that was done to this crippled man? Are you asking us what made him well? We want all of you and all the Jewish people to know that this man was made well by the power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth! You nailed Jesus to a cross. God raised him from death. This man was crippled, but he is now well. He is able to stand here before you because of the power of Jesus! Jesus is 'the stone that you builders thought was not important. But this stone has become the cornerstone. ' Jesus is the only One who can save people. His name is the only power in the world that has been given to save people. We must be saved through Jesus!" The Jewish leaders understood that Peter and John had no special training or education. But the leaders also saw that Peter and John were not afraid to speak. So the leaders were amazed. Then they realized that Peter and John had been with Jesus. They saw the crippled man standing there beside the two apostles. They saw that the man was healed. So they could say nothing against the apostles. The Jewish leaders told them to leave the meeting. Then the leaders talked to each other about what they should do. They said, "What shall we do with these men (the apostles)? Every person in Jerusalem knows that they have done a great miracle. This is clear. We cannot say it is not true. But we must make them afraid to talk to people about this man (Jesus). Then this problem will not spread among the people." So the Jewish leaders called Peter and John in again. They told the apostles not to say anything or to teach anything in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, "What do you think is right? What would God want? Should we obey you or God? We cannot be quiet. We must tell people about the things we saw and heard."
— Acts 4:8-20
But they did not find Paul and Silas. So the people dragged Jason and some of the other believers to the leaders of the city. The people yelled, "These men (Paul and Silas) have made trouble everywhere in the world. And now they have come here too!
— Acts 17:6
I tell you the truth. The person that believes in me will do the same things I have done. Yes! He will do even greater things than I have done. Why? Because I am going to the Father.
— John 14:12
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