Today's Lectionary TextMark 16:1-8When 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.  Today's Devotional
We are living in the first Easter week. Today we hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Mark version of the resurrection story.
I love the gospel of Mark as the first gospel written about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. His use of the word “immediately” often in the text makes it an action-packed story. I imagine of all the gospels, this gospel of Mark could be translated to a 45 minute action-adventure episode. The Adventure of Mark even has an alternate ending! This story of the resurrection shapes us into the people we are today. It is through this lens of the resurrection that we understand the rest of the story of God’s son on earth. How did you respond the first time you heard the proclamation that Jesus had risen? For me, it was the time that my parents’ faith became my own voice and understanding. I had come to know the resurrection story meant that Christ was a source of hope and gave meaning to life. Believing in the resurrection gave me life and an overwhelming unconditional love and grace. Now I come to know it as God giving life after death, hope amid despair, light in darkness and that love always wins. Today take a few minutes to think about a one-minute testimony from your experience that might cause a person to consider the possibility of the resurrection so that more might understand that we are raised with Christ. — Rev. Nicole Conard
Originally published April 14, 2020
Associate director of congregational excellence and campus ministries coordinator rconard@greatplainsumc.org Prayer for ReflectionO God, remind us that we are raised with Christ. Thank you for the life, death and resurrection of your son, Jesus Christ. Guide us to hear your story in new ways and how you continue to speak to us about resurrection. Amen.
-- Excerpts from "Catch the Fire in 50 Days: Joining the Movement of God’s Mission in the World" by Blake Busick and Christie Latona |
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