“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.

“When some of the bystanders heard it, they began saying, “Behold, He is calling for Elijah.”  Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink, saying, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to take Him down” (Mark 15:35-36).

How often do people misunderstand what the Lord is saying?  Sinners like to put words in His mouth.  Our Savior was a real, ordinary, just like us person, yet also God in the flesh.  He felt the physical things – as we all do – and lamented the pain.  The mockery continues.  What more can God do to show His great love for us?  Let the mockery be crucified and accept His love.

Lord, the world around me still mocks You and will not believe.  Help me to come to the place where I accept that You are above all, yet You also understand fully what it means to be human.  You have come to lead all who will follow You into a life that is fulfilled beyond any expectation we could ever have in this world alone.  In and through You is love and life.  You have suffered, and in that suffering, united us with You.

Lord Jesus, You have cried out across the ages for the sake of all of those who, through You, will be given new life.  Here am I Lord; take me and make of me what You will.  Lead me according to Your purpose so that I may become what You will make of me.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to live obediently according to the Father’s will.  Slay the sinner and resurrect me with You in Your time.  Amen.

“When the sixth hour came, darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour.  At the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:33-34)

This world is often forsaken.  The unbelieving roar like a lion, seeking whom they may devour.  Jesus felt the full weight of this world’s darkness and cried out.  Do we not often do the same?  God sustains all things, but in the horror of a world gone wrong, the lament is great.  Greater still is His love for us that He would suffer the darkness of this world so that we could see the glimmer of light which shows the One who created all things.

Lord, I confess that the full weight of what happened on the cross is a mystery to me.  Yet, I do know what it is like to feel abandoned.  Help me so that I learn how to call out to You at all times.  You have promised that You are with me.  In times of doubt, or when the world is pressing in, lead me to know that Your presence is always with me.  Help me transcend my fears.

Lord Jesus, You have told us that perfect love casts out fear.  Lead me to come to the place of Your perfect love.  When I feel alone, remind me that You are always with me.  When I doubt, grant me the ability to see that You are with me, and continue on.  When I am confused, remind me that all things have their purpose so that I may come to the place where I learn to live in Your love.  Through all things, guide me, my dear Savior.  Amen.

“In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself.  Let this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe!” Those who were crucified with Him were also insulting Him” (Mark 15:31-32).

There are those who say they will not believe unless certain signs and wonders are done.  One wonders, even if they were done, would they find another reason to not believe?  We have before us all that we need.  From the order and beauty of creation to all that has been written, along with the others who believe, is that enough?  For the world, it is never enough.  God is the Creator of all things.  Believe!

Lord, I have my doubts and fears which govern my thoughts.  The world around me promotes doubt and unbelief.  Guide me through the fog of this age to humbly and simply believe that You are God and You have a purpose for all things.  Lead me according to Your goodness and mercy to understand things as they are and not to be driven by the denials of those in this world who are unbelieving.

My Lord and Savior Jesus, You withstood the constant mockery of the unbelieving.  I often am at a loss for words and fall into silence when confronted by the hatred and derision of this world.  Lead me so that I follow You and the truth, no matter what those in the world say.  Guide me out of the malaise of this world to see and believe.  Help me in times of doubt so that I am not unbelieving but believing.  Amen.