July 4, 2022

He is Alive! Freedom from the Curse of Sin and Death! 

Mark 16

Jackie Bahr
Monday's Devo

July 4, 2022

Monday's Devo

July 4, 2022

Central Truth

Hallelujah! He has risen! The resurrection of Jesus is central to the Christian faith. "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins." (1 Corinthians 15:17) God desires that we share the good news with everyone!

Key Verse | Mark 16:6-7

And he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you."

Mark 16

The Resurrection

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

[Some of the earliest manuscripts do not include 16:9–20.] 1 16:9 Some manuscripts end the book with 16:8; others include verses 920 immediately after verse 8. At least one manuscript inserts additional material after verse 14; some manuscripts include after verse 8 the following: But they reported briefly to Peter and those with him all that they had been told. And after this, Jesus himself sent out by means of them, from east to west, the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation. These manuscripts then continue with verses 920

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

[[Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

Jesus Appears to Two Disciples

12 After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. 13 And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

The Great Commission

14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole 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 cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.]]

Footnotes

[1] 16:9 Some manuscripts end the book with 16:8; others include verses 9–20 immediately after verse 8. At least one manuscript inserts additional material after verse 14; some manuscripts include after verse 8 the following: But they reported briefly to Peter and those with him all that they had been told. And after this, Jesus himself sent out by means of them, from east to west, the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation. These manuscripts then continue with verses 9–20

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Dive Deeper | Mark 16

One of my favorite Fourth of July memories dates way back to my childhood. Our family celebrated the holiday at the lake. Boats were bumper-to-bumper as the fireworks boomed through the air and lit up the dark night sky. The lights shimmered in the water, and after the finale, boaters everywhere honked their horns to celebrate our country's freedom. 

In contrast, the disciples in Mark 16 wept and mourned as they experienced loss and disappointment over Jesus' crucifixion. All of their hopes of Him being the coming Messiah were dashed. They didn't yet know the whole story and didn't understand many of the things Jesus foretold them. The empty tomb ultimately proved Jesus' identity. He was not just a mere man, but truly the Son of God. Imagine how elated the disciples felt when they finally understood that Jesus was alive! After their astonishment wore off, I am sure they wanted to shout it from the mountaintop.

Similarly, most people today can't wait to share their good news with the important people in their life. Like when a couple gets engaged, they usually post pictures on social media of exactly how it happened. People like to share all of the details!

In the same way, it should be with great joy that we tell others the good news of what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Not only are we commanded to "[g]o into the all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation" (Mark 16:15), but we should WANT to tell our story of life change and the freedom we experience in Him!

As a people pleaser, I can worry about what other people think of me. I often find it easier to try to live out my faith without explaining why. This Scripture challenges me to be obedient to His command and to tell others about the free gift that is offered to all who believe in Him.

So when you watch fireworks tonight, celebrate the ultimate freedom we have in Christ and share with someone your story of grace.

Discussion Questions

1. The disciples, not believing Mary Magdalene's account, were filled with mourning and weeping. In what ways are you still living in doubt and despair, rather than accepting the grace and freedom God has offered to all who believe in His Son?

2. How does fear inhibit your willingness to tell others about your faith in Christ? When was the last time you shared the good news with someone else? Ask God to give you the courage to share your faith with someone today—July 4. Sharing a thought about our country's Independence Day and our dependence on Christ could be a way to start that conversation!

3. If you want to know more about what it means to trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior—watch this: www.watermark.org/thegospel.