Resurrection Life!
Opening Prayer
Thank you, Jesus, for the resurrection. Because You defeated death and returned to life, I can have new life too.
Read Mark 16:9–20
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
[9][The earliest manuscripts and some other ancient witnesses do not have verses 9–20.] When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. [10] She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. [11] When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it. [12] Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. [13] These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either. [14] Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. [15] He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. [16] Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. [17] And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; [18] they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” [19] After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. [20] Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Where would you be without Jesus’ resurrection? When we discover Jesus’ resurrection for ourselves, it changes things. Imagine what it must havebeen like for the disciples. What does Jesus’ resurrection mean to you? How has the truth thatJesus is alive changed your life?Once we discover the power of the resurrection in our own lives, like those in this passage whohad an encounter with Jesus, what are we going to do with it? The disciples told everyone. Somebelieved and others didn’t. The reaction isn’t our responsibility; our job is to share the GoodNews of Christ.Christ even gives us the power and authority to spread his Word. He promised that if we obey hiscommand to preach the Good News to all creation he will confirm his Word by the miraculoussigns that follow the believers. Matthew’s Gospel follows up these statements with Christ’sreassuring promise that he will be with us always, even to the end of the age.What will you do with the incredible knowledge of Jesus’ resurrection? Will you keep it toyourself or follow Christ’s command, like the disciples did, and tell everyone you come incontact with?When we discover Jesus’ resurrection for ourselves, it changes things. Imagine what it must have been like for the disciples. What does Jesus’ resurrection mean to you? How has the truth that Jesus is alive changed your life? Once we discover the power of the resurrection in our own lives, like those in this passage who had an encounter with Jesus, what are we going to do with it? The disciples told everyone. Some believed and others didn’t. The reaction isn’t our responsibility; our job is to share the Good News of Christ.
Christ even gives us the power and authority to spread his Word. He promised that if we obey his command to preach the Good News to all creation he will confirm his Word by the miraculous signs that follow the believers. Matthew’s Gospel follows up these statements with Christ’s reassuring promise that he will be with us always, even to the end of the age.
What will you do with the incredible knowledge of Jesus’ resurrection? Will you keep it to
yourself or follow Christ’s command, like the disciples did, and tell everyone you come in
contact with?
Apply
What if you shared the hope of Jesus’ resurrection with everyone you interacted with today? What might happen?
Closing prayer
God, open my eyes to see those who need hope today. Give me the words to share Your Word with them.
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