Bewildered and Frightened!
The women were very afraid and confused. They left the tomb
and ran away. The women did not tell about what happened,
because they were afraid.
-- Mark 16:8 (ERV)
KEY THOUGHT:
Mark wanted us to know two crucial things about Jesus. First, Jesus was
mighty and powerful, something even the demons recognized and feared.
Second, despite all of his power, he submitted himself to the will of
God and went to the Cross to ransom us from sin and death. Mark knows
Jesus was raised from the dead. But he uses the women and their
bewildered fear remind us of the resurrection -- not because they
doubted, but because they believed. Jesus changed everything in their
understanding of the Messiah, the Son of God. (Mark 1:1) He was willing
to go to the Cross even though he clearly had the power to prevent it.
His dying didn't fit and they couldn't understand how this could be so.
All their hopes had been dashed with his crucifixion and their lives
are ruined with his death. On this morning, however, they found out he
was raised from the dead and they were told this good news by an angel
at Jesus' empty tomb. How could they not be bewildered and fearful?
Their worlds were forever changed. If Jesus could rise from the dead,
then what would happen next? If they followed Jesus, what could the
resurrected Jesus do through them? And if Jesus could use them to "turn
the world upside down" with his message and his follower's courage,
what can he do with us? So let's join these faithful women at the empty
tomb, bewildered and frightened, but full of expectation at the thought
of what lies ahead for us!
TODAY'S PRAYER:
O God, release the resurrection power of Jesus in our day and in our
lives. Empower us to live for you and impact our world in a similar way
to how these first followers of Jesus impacted their world. In Jesus'
name I pray. Amen.
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