Read: Mark 16:1-8
He has risen; he is not here. (v. 6)
This morning, Christians around the world are greeting each other with these words: “He is risen!” “He is risen, indeed!” They are affirming the truth of the resurrection and its life-changing power. The women who went to the tomb that morning had been at Golgotha. They saw Jesus suffer and die. They went to the tomb to finish preparing for Jesus’ burial. But they were shocked to encounter an angel, who told them that Jesus had risen. In fact, the earliest versions of Mark end here, with the women fleeing an empty tomb in fear.
The news of Jesus’ resurrection should still be shocking today. It was an event that changed the natural order, and we are right to see it as the women saw it that day. The women never expected it, and as they left, they didn’t know what was coming next. They came to mourn Jesus, their great teacher and beloved friend. But as they left that day, everything must have seemed strange and new.
In that moment, the women may not have known what was coming next, but we do. We know that the story didn’t end there. Jesus returned, in his body, before returning to heaven. He gave the disciples the Great Commission—to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20). Today, you are invited into this great and joyful mission too, which continues to this very day—the proclamation that Jesus is alive! —John Koedyker
As you pray, thank God that Jesus is alive!
About the Author
Rev. John Koedyker has been a pastor in the Reformed Church in America for more than forty years. His ministry began in Japan where he served as a missionary for ten years. After that he has served churches in Iowa and Michigan. He has served as the Stated Clerk of Muskegon Classis, RCA, for the past sixteen years and also presently serves as pastor of congregational care at First Reformed Church of Grand Haven, Michigan. John has written a number of times previously for Words of Hope and he has a bi-monthly religion column in the Grand Haven Tribune. He is married to Marilyn, and they have four grown children and seven grandchildren.
