HE IS RISEN!

Jesus gave us an incredible gift at an indescribable price.

Mark 16:1-20 NIV

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. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. “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. 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.’ ” Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it. Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either. Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

Jesus fulfilled the plan and purpose for His life. It was not always pretty, nice and neat. Most times it was anything but, He was often misunderstood and hated by many, but came to save us all. His ministry was powerful and effective even when criticized by the religious leaders of the day. His is a message of repentance, forgiveness and love. I find it very reassuring in verse 20 when it said “and the Lord worked with them”. As we carry out our plan and purpose it won’t always be pretty, it may at times get messy and many may not understand or approve but here is the deal…you are not in this alone. He walks beside us, works in us, through us and around us. Never giving up on us and expecting us in our weak moments to not give up but lean heavily on Him and the power of His Resurrection. He is with us always.

Happy Resurrection Sunday. This day is proof of Hope realized. Stay in faith, morning comes. He is risen, indeed! Christ loves you and so do I.