He is risen!

By James Hoffman

Mark 16:1–8 (NASB95)

1 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. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 Looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large. 5 Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. 6 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. 7 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.’ ” 8 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.

Devotional

Yesterday and the day before, we spent in mourning. Friday featured the single darkest moment in human history: God was dead and we killed Him! Then all day yesterday we got to sit in that shameful and hopeless moment. It was on this moment that three women from Jesus' life went to the tomb to tend to Jesus' corpse. They did not find what they were looking for. These three women came in mourning and left in bewilderment. They had expected the sad scene of Jesus' dead body, instead they found an angel that said Jesus is already gone, He has risen Himself from the dead!

This is the single greatest moment in human history! Jesus, by way of our evil cross, defeated sin and death forever more! Satan had used the power of sin and death to take away from God the people that He dearly loved. Now Satan is utterly disarmed! Jesus has removed the price of sin and the sting of death! Jesus has reestablished the Garden of Eden, something He will do more fully when He returns. We have been reconciled and been given eternal life once again.

Prayer

Glorious Lord, may your will be done. You have accomplished it, You destroyed the instruments of sin and death! May your new Eden by established on in, now in the church and more fully when You return. Might I know You anew, reconcilled unconditionally and with abandon. In the name of Lord Jesus, might I share in His ressurection when He returns, Amen.