Daily Devotions – He has risen! He is not here

Daily Devotions – He has risen! He is not here

 

Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:

 

Mark 16:1-8 (NIV)
Jesus Has Risen
16 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. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” 8 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone because they were afraid.

 

Would you have had trouble believing the angel’s words?

 

Lord God, the Easter Story reminds me that You will always create a way to get Your Will completed. Evil may intend to stop You, create fear and dissuade those who follow You, but You will move any stone or obstacle that’s in the way to complete Your glorious purpose. Thank You for sending messengers in my life, including my church family, to help encourage and direct me when I am lost and overwhelmed. I may not always see a way out or have a clue of how You could possibly fix what looks like it is dead and rotting but then I look up and see that You are standing near me victorious. Help me to recognize You when You show up where I don’t expect You. You are the resurrected King and You have defeated sin and death. Help me to trust that if You love me so much to conquer death that threatened my eternity, You can handle the problems that I am facing now. Give me the courage to tell others of Your resurrection! Thank You for giving me the hope of everlasting life and salvation through Your Cross and Resurrection. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.