Begin with 2 minutes of silence and stillness before God.

It had been dark and hopeless for three days, but then, on the third day, the Savior broke through the darkness and death! He overcame sin, shame, and death! This week, we've read some really heavy scripture leading to Jesus’ death, but today is all about sharing the good news of His resurrection! In Mark’s signature rapid-fire style, he recounts all of the events that happen from Easter morning to the Ascension of Jesus. We can read about these same events in more detail in the other Gospels, but this chapter in Mark gives us the bullet points that are the foundation of our hope!

• Jesus has risen!
• Jesus sent His followers into all the world to share the message of salvation!
• Jesus returned to His father, but as He told His followers in Mark 13, He will return!

With this short chapter, Mark tells us not only WHAT the gospel means, but also WHO the gospel is for! When the angel instructed the women to go tell Jesus' followers of what they witnessed, the angel specifically named Peter - "the disciples AND Peter." This wasn't because Peter had messed up and was no longer counted among the disciples. No! Peter denied Christ, but Jesus did not deny Peter. This mention of his name was meant to provide encouragement following his denials of Jesus. Jesus wanted Peter to hear the good news of His resurrection.

In verse 9, Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene, "out of whom He had driven out seven demons." This was the woman with the past; the woman who Jesus healed; the woman who left everything to faithfully follow Jesus, even to the tomb when His other followers were too frightened. Jesus chose this woman with a past to be the first person He encountered as the Risen Savior. And again, Mary Magdalene was faithful; she was the first of His followers to share the gospel!

But Jesus didn't stop at sharing the good news with His disciples or His followers or even the Jewish people. Jesus invited His followers to join Him in the rescue mission for the whole world. He commanded them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not will be condemned. (Mark 16:15-16)" Jesus offers new life to WHOEVER believes. Everyone! There is no one too far from Jesus to be saved!

Jesus is for the sinners, the scared. Jesus is for the woman with a past. Jesus is for those who previously denied Him. Jesus is for the young family across the ocean, and Jesus is for the older couple who lives across the street. There is no social, cultural, political, geographical, or generational boundary that Jesus has not called us to cross for the sake of the gospel. Jesus is for everyone!

We have work to do!

Let’s begin by praying that God will reveal Himself to those who are far from Him. Let’s join Jesus in His saving work and share the good news that Jesus, the risen Savior is for everyone. And let’s actively wait on His return, busying ourselves with the work of Christ – loving God, loving others, and sharing the gospel with our words and actions everywhere we go. Let’s get started!

Reflection:

• Encourage someone in their faith today! Whether it's a family member, friend, or co-worker, find a way to remind them of God's love for them.
• Pray for God to reveal the people in your life who need to hear the saving gospel of Jesus. Pray for the boldness to share Jesus' love with them.

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.

Family Application: Mark 16 - Christ is Risen

Author: Amy Stampley

Just yesterday, we felt Jesus's pain as He was beaten and mistreated, mocked, and crucified. Today is a different day! Today we talk about the awesome day that He arose from the tomb. When the ladies went to the burial place to anoint His body with spices, they found the stone rolled away and a man in a white garment sitting inside the grave saying, “Do not be afraid… He has risen. He is not here!” The same ladies that wept for Jesus just a few days earlier as he was crucified were surprised and amazed!

Later, Jesus appeared to the disciples who also had difficulty believing this to be true. After Jesus convinced them that He had risen from the grave, He told the disciples to go into the world and continue preaching the gospel.

• In what ways can you share the good news of Jesus with your friends? Consider inviting someone to church with you this Sunday.
• Prayer: Dear God, thank You for giving Your Son so that we may have the gift of eternal life. Thank you for His perfect example while traveling around the world teaching the good news. We are so thankful that He arose and that He lives. Amen.