Easter Sunday

Today’s Verses: Mark 16:9-20

Seeing Jesus

“Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.  Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him” (John 20: 1-2).  …”Then the disciples went away again to their own homes” (v.10).

“Doubt and faith intermingle in their minds, bewildering them as they slowly walk away.  Mary is left behind; tears, her only companions.  She takes those tears with her as she enters the tomb to take a look for herself.  And suddenly the woman who was once possessed with demons finds herself in the presence of angels.  One stands at the head of the stone slab; the other, at the foot.  Like the ark of the covenant in the Most Holy Place of the tabernacle—cherubim on either end.  For this, too, is a most holy place.  She is despondent as she tells them the reason for her tears.  Then, from behind, another voice reaches out to her.  “Woman, why are you crying?”  She wheels around.  Maybe the morning is foggy.  Maybe tears blur her eyes.  Maybe Jesus is the last person she expects to see.  Whatever the case, she doesn’t recognize him.  That is, until—“Mary.”  She blinks away the tears and can hardly believe her eyes.  “Master.”  Overwhelmed, she throws her arms around the Lord she loves so much.  She had been there when he suffered at the cross; now he is there when she is suffering.  She had stood by him in his darkest hour; now he is standing by her in hers. He had seen her tears; now he is there to wipe them all away. Jesus interrupts the embrace to send her on a great commission-to tell the disciples the good news. "He is risen. I have seen him. I have touched him. He is alive."

Prayer (Ken Gire):

Where there is doubt, roll away the stone and resurrect my faith.

Where there is depression, cast aside the grave clothes and release my joy.

Where there is despair, chase away the night and bring a sunrise to my hope. (7)

Questions to think about:

*Today was a faith building experience for Mary. The stone was rolled away and her vision of Jesus was made clear. What doubts or fears are blocking you from seeing Jesus and the fullness of the power of His resurrection today? 

*How could the experience of your life today help take you deeper in your faith and open your eyes to see Jesus more?

For Further Study: 

     *1 Corinthians 15:1-8, 55

     *Romans 1:4; 5:8

     *1 Peter 1:23

     *Luke 24:13-53

     *John 20:1-21:25

     *Acts 1:3-12

     *Matthew 28:9-20

7. Easter Sunday

Ken Gire, Moments with the Savior: A Devotional Life of Christ (Zondervan, 1998) pp.380-381.