READING
MARK 16
New International Version (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.
[The earliest manuscripts and some other ancient witnesses do not have verses 9–20.]
9 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.
10 She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.
12 Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. 13 These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.
14 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.
15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 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.”
19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
DEVOTIONAL
by
Angel Sanchez
The morning after the crucifixion, Mary went into the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus. The stone that covered the entryway to the tomb was moved, and to her surprise, instead of Jesus’ body, she was greeted by an angel who told her that Jesus was not there. He had risen from the dead!
The angel then told her to go and tell Jesus’ disciples including Peter.
Why would the angel specifically mention Peter? Peter was obviously one of the disciples, so why did the angel specifically say his name.
As we rewind back to chapter 14 verse 30, Jesus tells Peter that he was going to deny him three times and Peter’s response was, “Even if I have to die, I will never deny you!”
Shorty after in verse 66, just as Jesus had predicted, the denial unfolds and Peter denies Jesus three times. Just as Peter finishes speaking, it says in Luke 22:61, “The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” Jesus and Peter locked eyes and Peter came back to his senses.
Think about what Peter would have thought - “What have I done? How could I have done this? He was so good to me and my family. He did not deserve this. I should have stood up for him. I was the one who said - ‘until death I will be with you’, and here I am hiding, not wanting to be associated with the greatest man who walked the Earth. The things I have seen… The things He taught us… It’s all gone now. He (Jesus) looked straight at me; He was right. I will never be able to ask for forgiveness; why even bother - I wouldn’t forgive myself; He probably won’t forgive me either.”
Heartbroken, Peter left the courtyard crying bitterly.
How many times have those thoughts gone through your mind? Every time I fail, one of those thoughts go through my mind. Yet, when the angel spoke to Mary, he said, “go tell the disciples and Peter that Jesus has risen from the dead and He wants to meet all of them, especially Peter.” That is Grace - being forgiven without deserving it. Every time I fail, I think of this verse and replace Peter’s name with mine; Jesus wants to see me! Wow! Thank you Jesus for your never-ending grace!
A few things to think about,
What lie does the enemy want you to believe about yourself?
What biblical truth contradicts that lie?
Declare that truth over yourself verbally until the lie is broken and no longer has a hold on you.
Write down your thoughts, feelings and what Holy Spirit is doing in you right now.
PRAYER plan
PEACE
We will be a healthy family experiencing the peace of God that passes all understanding.