The Shock Felt around the World

Read Mark 14:1–16:20

1. Saturday evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus’ body.
2. Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb.
3. On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?”
4. But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside.
5. When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked,
6. but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body.
7. Now go and tell his disciples.”Mark 16:1-7

Whether you have ever been to a funeral or not, you are probably familiar with what a grave site looks like. That’s because you have probably passed by countless cemeteries and may have even ventured to walk through a few. So imagine how dismayed you would be if you passed by a grave a couple of days after the funeral, and found that the grave was open and the body was gone.

On the third day after Jesus’ crucifixion, three women go to Jesus’ tomb to embalm his body with spices. When they get there, they find an empty tomb. But then an angel tells them that Jesus is alive! As you read, rejoice with these women that Jesus has risen!

The fact that Jesus rose from the dead is important for several reasons. First, he paid the penalty for our sin that we could never pay ourselves. His resurrection was the final act in redeeming fallen humankind from a sinful nature. Second, coming back to life proved that he is the one and only God, the author of life. No leader of any other world religion has ever come back from the grave. Third, his resurrection was a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. Jesus’ resurrection was a fulfillment of God’s plan for redemption. Fourth, Christ’s resurrection not only fulfilled prophecies but also kept the promise he made to rise again. He proved to his followers that he is trustworthy. Fifth, his resurrection is an assurance that all believers in Christ will one day be resurrected, too.

Jesus’ resurrection is a miracle in and of itself that makes him worthy of our praise. Thank and worship him for his personal sacrifice to redeem you. At the same time, thank and worship the Father for raising his Son from the grave and for designing and implementing a wonderful plan for saving humanity.