“Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons.  She went and reported to those who had been with Him, while they were mourning and weeping” (Mark 16:9-10).

The one who has been forgiven much loves much.  Perhaps Jesus went to the one who was most ready to receive.  He chose Mary (as far as we know) to be the first witness of His resurrection.  Our Lord does things very intentionally.  At that time, in a world that did not accept the testimony of a woman, He chose a woman to be His first witness.  We are to believe the veracity of the report regardless of who speaks it.

Lord, in many and various ways You speak to us.  Should it really matter if it comes from a small child or anyone else?  Of course not.  Truth is truth; but the ideological pollution of this world trains my mind to accept only what the world deems acceptable.  Guide me so that I am willing to hear Your voice wherever and whenever You will speak.  Help me to seek after the wisdom You grant to Your faithful.

Savior of our souls, You have revealed the truth to those who believe.  The unbelieving will not receive the report.  Lead my life such that I become Your witness at all times.  Regardless of how the world presses in on me, guide me to believe in You and act according to the Father’s will.  Help me in those times where I speak what is true, though not received, so that I may humbly proclaim a good testimony, and see to it that I leave to You what You will do with my testimony.  Amen.

“But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’”  They went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid” (Mark 16:7-8).

They were afraid.  The Lord has done something not expected and they did not know how to react.  How often is this pattern of this world so ingrained in us that we will not believe what we have been told by the Lord?  Fear shuts our mouths and we do not speak.  The joy of the resurrection is so great that we should be shouting about it.  Instead. we flee, trembling and afraid.

Lord, what seems impossible to us is the very thing which gives us hope.  I would like to think that I would not have reacted that way, but I probably would have.  Teach me, so that when You do what seems impossible to me, I react with faith and not fear.  There is much to fear in this world and my mind races to those fear places.  Help me to abide in Your peace which surpasses all understanding.

Lord Jesus, You did exactly what You said You would do.  On the third day You, the true temple, were raised.  What the world means to destroy, You resurrect, making all things new.  Help me to learn how to trust You above all things.  Guide me in Your goodness and grace so that I live into the life You have set before me.  Lead me to react with faith and not fear.  Grant that I become calm and accepting of Your continual presence.  Amen.

“Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed.  And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him” (Mark 16:5-6).

The Lord sends His messengers.  Things are not what we often imagine.  The Lord is not in the grave.  Our faith is built upon the fact that Christ has been raised from the dead.  If He lives, then we too shall live.  This singular truth is the hope we all have in Christ.  We were created to live in the Father’s presence forever.  Let this simple truth be the foundation of your trust and hope.

Holy Lord and God of salvation, the way of the world sneaks in and makes things so difficult.  In the utter simplicity of the truth of the resurrection, help me to build my faith upon the fact of the resurrection.  Guide me to do what You would have me do.  There are many ways in which this truth has been expressed, so help me to express this through my daily living.  You have revealed the truth of the ages through Your resurrection from the dead.  Help me to abide in the truth.

Lord Jesus, You are not some antiquated idea, long dead in the grave, but alive and active in our world.  You have called me to You and given me the hope and promise of the resurrection.  Lead me ever deeper into the mystery of all that this means.  Help me to form my life around You, the One who has redeemed me and called me to follow You in the grand adventure of faith.  Guide me now and always in the truth You have revealed.  Amen.

“They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?”  Looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large” (Mark 16:3-4).

If you are going about your daily business and something is not as you expect, look for the hand of the Lord.  He shows up in our daily life.  He is interested in your day.  Do not ignore the signs He gives.  Yes, things can be amiss, but also the Lord does show up, so do not be deceived.  Go about your day, but trust that the Lord will be with You, preparing the way before you.

Lord, I often do not think in these terms.  I think of magnificent things happening when You are present, not just the ordinary things.  Yet, You have told me that You are with me always and will prepare the way before me.  Lead me so that I trust the truth that You are always with me.  Guide me to live into the life You have given me knowing that all things will work together for good because of Your love.

Lord Jesus, You were not in the tomb, and accomplished what the Father intended.  Let me not be swayed by momentary circumstances but know that You are always with me.  Guide me in the way of Your goodness and mercy so that I live in the Christ-life to which You have called me.  Lead me in this new life and help me to see those places You show me where You have prepared the way before me.  Amen.

“When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him.  Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen” (Mark 16:1-2).

No matter what happens in this world, we are called to do whatever needs to be done each day.  Whether it is preparing for a funeral or a feast, we should do what the day gives us to do.  If these women, whose hope had been shattered, could come and be respectful and do what tradition called for, cannot we do the same?  They did not know what the Lord was going to do, but they trusted anyway.

Lord, grant trust such that I would do what You give me to do today.  The world often seems so messed up that I cannot understand what is happening.  I am tempted to think that You are not present, but You are.  Help me to go about the tasks You give me to do, being faithful and living the life You have set before me.  Lead me into faithfulness.  Guide me in the way of becoming like Christ.

Lord Jesus, You were in the grave and tasted death.  It was a part of Your plan.  You know the plans You have for each one of us.  Lead me to humbly walk in the way You would have me go and guide me so that I look to You and do what You give me to do no matter what is happening around me.  Help me in the way of this new life You have given me and aid me to be faithful each step of the way.  Amen.

“Joseph bought a linen cloth, took Him down, wrapped Him in the linen cloth and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.  Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Joses, were looking on to see where He was laid” (Mark 15:46-47).

The purpose of every funeral is to honor God, the giver of all life, and the one whom the Lord has called home.  Learning to honor in a world that does not honor can be difficult.  We are called to live the life our Lord has given us and to grant honor where honor is due.  Just like Jesus, who was raised from the dead, the Lord often has surprises for us; but we are to continue doing what is right, even if we do not see where it is in the moment.

Lord, in the example of these faithful people, help me so that if I knew tomorrow were my last day, I would still do what is right for me to do today.  Change my thinking so that I trust You above every circumstance.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to see that all things truly are in Your hands and that You will do all that You have promised.  Grant me the gift of living in faith.

Lord Jesus, the faithful lost hope after Your crucifixion.  Your hope was and still is present; but in this world the circumstances are often overwhelming.  Lead me in the faith You have given me so that I trust in all that You have promised.  Help me to be diligent in the faith I have and do what You give me to do.  Lead me in the way of faithfulness and grant me courage to press on when I am in doubt.  Amen.  

“Pilate wondered if He was dead by this time, and summoning the centurion, he questioned him as to whether He was already dead.  And ascertaining this from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph” (Mark 15:44-45).

Pilate seemed to be a consummate politician.  Perhaps he asked himself if some kind of plot were being launched.  The world thinks in terms of intrigue.  Joseph wanted to honor the Lord and knew He was dead.  Let the world do what it will, but continue in the way of righteousness.  Do not be hindered by what others think, but be led by the guidance of the Holy Spirit in spite of what is happening around you.

Lord, help me to see that You have asked me to be faithful.  The world will do what it does.  There will be those who accuse but are themselves doing the very thing that they are accusing you of.  Lead me to look to You for all things knowing that You will lead me in the way of truth.  May I be Your willing servant and do what You give me to do each day, seeking to be faithful to the call You have given me.

Lord Jesus, the world thought You were finished.  The world was moving on.  The political intrigue continued, and Your faithful sought to be faithful.  Help me to live in their example and seek faithfulness no matter what is happening around me.  Guide me to live in the goodness and mercy You have given me by grace through faith knowing that You are the author and finisher of all history.  Lead me, Lord, to go where I need to go.  Amen.

“When evening had already come, because it was the preparation day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus” (Mark 15:42-43).

It is easy to overlook the courage it took for Joseph to come to Pilate.  Jesus had just been crucified for treason (according to the false charges).  There was great political intrigue, but in spite of these things, Joseph wanted to honor Jesus.  He risked his position and perhaps even his own life in order to do this.  What are we willing to risk for the truth which has been revealed?  Would we do what Joseph did?

Lord, I want to think I am bold and capable, but often I do not have the fortitude to stand firm for what is right, and I capitulate to those who hate You.  Grant fortitude that we may hold fast to the truth You have revealed and humbly walk in the way You set before us no matter what may come.  You have given us life in You, and nothing has more value than that.  Help all Your people of faith to learn how not to compromise the truth You have given us.

Lord Jesus, You suffered beyond my ability to comprehend.  You have done this so that I may live into the eternal life You have set before me.  Grant me courage where I need it in order that I may do what is right, no matter the fears that would hold me back.  Guide me to be willing to pay any price in order to remain in Your grace.  Lead me to be both humble and bold in the faith You have given me.  Amen.

“There were also some women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses, and Salome.  When He was in Galilee, they used to follow Him and minister to Him; and there were many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem” (Mark 15:40-41).

The women were there, but His disciples seemed to have fled.  Fear in this age often leads us in living a lie rather than living the truth of which has been revealed.  Our Lord knows.  He loves us in spite of our frailties, but we are not to stay living in fear.  No matter who encourages you, do not be held back by the fear of this age which is only momentary.  Jesus has conquered sin.  He has opened the way to being holy even as He is holy. So fear not!

Lord, this world will often ask, “What do you think?”  Who cares what I think?  You are the truth.  You have gone to the cross for all of the insane thinking of this world.  Lead me to live according to the word You have given me.  Guide me in the way of everlasting life which You have opened up for all who believe.  Help me according to Your purpose to do the Father’s will  in and through me.

Lord Jesus, there are too many times when I have not fully  lived in the new life You have given me.  I have been driven by the fears of this world.  Help me to hold fast to the truth which You have revealed, the life You have made possible through Your death, and the hope that comes in your resurrection so that I may be guided by You and not by this world of rebellion.  Help me to follow You, minister to others, and abide in You, the One through whom I have true life.  Amen.

“And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed His last.  And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.  When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:37-39)

The veil kept the Holy of Holies separate from all but the High Priest.  The veil was torn open.  God is now approachable by all who come through Christ.  It is a privilege granted by grace.  Jesus has done this so that we may come as we are into the Holy presence of the living God.  Not by our merit or strength, but through His goodness, we have been given the greatest gift of all.  Truly this man IS God.  He has come to lead the lost home.

Lord, You have opened the way of everlasting life.  You have come so that we who are dead in our trespasses may live into the life You created us to live.  We may not fully understand all that You have done, but the way has been cleared, and You have made possible what otherwise is impossible.  Lead us out of the rebellion which leads to death and into the light which shines in the darkness of this age.

Savior of all who come through faith, You have paid a price we cannot fathom to open the way for believers to enter into Your holy presence.  Lead me this day in holiness.  Guide me according to Your perfect will to see that in You is hope and an eternal future.  Help me to hear Your word, receive and accept all that You have shown me.  Lead me in the way of this new life which You have given me.  Amen.