Saturday
evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and
Salome went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus' body.
Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb. On the
way they were asking each other, "Who will roll away the stone for us from
the entrance to the tomb?" But as they arrived, they looked up and saw
that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside. When they
entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the
right side. The women were shocked, but the angel said, "Don't be alarmed.
You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn't here! He is
risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. Now go and tell
his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee.
You will see him there, just as he told you before he died." The women
fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing to anyone
because they were too frightened. [Shorter Ending of Mark] Then
they briefly reported all this to Peter and his companions. Afterward Jesus
himself sent them out from east to west with the sacred and unfailing message
of salvation that gives eternal life. Amen. Mark 16:1-8
 |
| Garden tomb in Jerusalem. Is that an angel in the doorway? |
Sunday morning at sunrise these three
ladies went to the tomb where Jesus was buried. They loved Him and just wanted
to anoint His body. I guess they didn’t know that Nicodemus had taken burial
spices and anointed Him the day of His death and burial. Actually Nicodemus had
brought seventy-five pounds of myrrh and aloe (See John 19:39) to the tomb that Joseph of Arimathea had
provided in which to bury Jesus. Who will roll away the stone? No need for that.
Trembling
and bewildered. Don’t be alarmed…He is risen from the dead! Just as He told you. Don’t be afraid. That
is exactly what they were feeling…fear.
Just like an angel declared at the birth of Jesus…
That night there were shepherds staying in
the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the
Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them.
They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!"
he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.
The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the
city of David! Luke 2:8-11 (Underlined for emphasis.)
What wonderful news! He is born…He is
risen. Fear? How could those ladies not be afraid? They’d never seen an angel
before…and this one must have been glowing after having been in the presence of
Jesus. What an awesome experience. They expected to see the body of their
teacher…and there was no body…only the sheet in which Joseph of Arithemea had
wrapped Him.
No Fear. Don’t be afraid…Don’t be alarmed. The same message at the birth and
resurrection of Jesus. And Jesus spoke similar words to His disciples…don’t be
anxious…no worries.
Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in
God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father's home.
If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place
for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will
always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going."
"No, we don't know, Lord," Thomas said. "We have no idea where
you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus told him, "I am the
way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."
John 14:1-6
No worries…
So don't worry about these things, saying,
'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things
dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows
all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously,
and he will give you everything you need. - Matthew 6:31-33 NLT
Let Jesus take care of you…of your needs—physically
and spiritually. He is the way, the truth and the life…giving you, your family,
friends and neighbors life…life abundantly. Let Him give you what you need.
Love…and give love in return.
Prayer
~ Dear Jesus, You have not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of
power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7. Please help me never be
afraid. No fear…when I have the opportunity to share Your truth and to love
others—like You do.
Daily
Bible Reading: Hosea 8-14
© 2018 Text and
photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All
scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
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