Mark 16:1–8 (NRSV)
Read Mark 16:1–8 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 16When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. Verse 2And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. Verse 3They had been saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?" Verse 4When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. Verse 5As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. Verse 6But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. Verse 7But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you." Verse 8So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Devotion
Easter is a glorious day, but one that the world does not understand. The world has sought to try and take over Christmas, and has done much of this—who can resist the baby in the manger, with angels and shepherds and wise men? But the world does not understand resurrection, and does not know what to do with it. The world does not understand that on that day, the power that death holds over us was destroyed forever. The Easter hope, that the power of God is stronger than anything in the world, seems absurd to them. As Paul writes: “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). We live each day in the hope, the glory of Easter, because to us it is life itself.
Prayer
Keep us, O God, each day in the power of resurrection, and your victory over the grave. May we each know this hope and this power in our lives each and every day. Amen.