Alleluia, Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Our scripture this morning is Mark 16:1-7.
When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But 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. But 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.”
The story of the women who followed Jesus going to the tomb that morning is one of the most inspiring testimonies of our faith. Matthew 28:1-10, Luke 24:1-12, and John 20:1-10 all tell of the resurrection of our Lord and how these women carried the news back. It is still amazing to hear the news two thousand years later.
Jesus had told His followers what was to happen, but even for the most faithful it was difficult to believe. Many thought that Jesus had given up and He would be yet another martyr for the faith. While Jesus gave Himself as a sacrifice for us, His resurrection shattered the power of sin and death for all time.
As we celebrate, in fellowship or alone, we know the risen Savior is with us. He promised to send “another comforter” (John 14:16) and the Holy Spirit comes upon us when we accept the gift of redemption Jesus bought for us. Christ the Lord is risen today! May we live in the love He came to share and bring the Good News to all the world.
Heavenly Father, in Your mercy You sent Jesus to be the only acceptable sacrifice for our sin. Help us to rise with Him and go in faith to make disciples of all people. Amen.
