By Rev. Gene Brunow
Sunday, March 31 is Easter. On Easter morning, the women went out with spices so that they could anoint Jesus’ dead body. The idea was to preserve it a little while longer. They were very single-minded about their undertaking. They had one concern, however, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” (Mark 16:3 ESV).
When they got there, all their concerns and plans proved to be useless. The stone was not blocking the entrance, but Jesus wasn’t there either. There was a young man (an angel) sitting in the tomb. The women were alarmed! People were often filled with awe and fear in the presence of angels.
The angel had a message for them that helped calm them a bit. He says, “You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; He is not here” (Mark 16:6 ESV). As we live in a confusing time, the angel’s message still comforts us as we seek him today.
The most important news that the angel shared with them was “He has risen, He is not here” (Mark 16:6 ESV).
There is no greater news than that! Luther says, “The blessed resurrection ... is pure joy.” It is our greatest delight as well. As Christians, we are Easter people, and every day of our lives is Easter.
This month’s study text:
The Resurrection
1 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, 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 that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Mark 16:1-8 (ESV)
Reflection Questions:
If the women didn’t know how they would roll the stone away, why do you think they still went to the tomb? What does this say about their faith?
Even though the women going to the tomb didn’t have a complete plan, they most likely had an idea of what they would find and what they would do. This plan was derailed when they saw the open tomb and an angel. When have your plans fallen through or turned out differently than you expected? When have things not worked out the way you planned, and it turned out to be a great thing?
The women and the disciples were surprised by Jesus’ resurrection even though Jesus told them what was going to happen. What are some promises of God that you know, and believe, but sometimes doubt when life gets difficult?
What is a daily reminder you could use to remember the pure joy of the resurrection?
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for raising your dear Son Jesus. Thank you for giving us a faith that receives the blessing of this treasure. Help this joy flow from us so that this victory becomes a part of others around us. Amen.
Rev. Brunow is a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Ind. Find more of his devotionals at genesbrunotes.com.