Jesus is Risen
Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | March 31, 2024 | Mark 16:1-7
KEY VERSE:
“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. Mark 16:6 (NIV)
MESSAGE
Mark 16:1-7 recounts the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a pivotal event in the Christian faith. This passage reveals the fulfilment of Jesus' promise to rise from the dead and demonstrates His victory over sin and death. The women, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, went to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body with spices. However, they found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty, except for a young man dressed in white who proclaimed, "He has risen!" The resurrection of Jesus fulfils Old Testament prophecies, affirming God's faithfulness and the divine nature of Jesus. The young man instructs the women to go and tell the disciples, including Peter, that Jesus has risen and will meet them in Galilee, just as He had told them. The women were told to go and share the news of Jesus' resurrection, highlighting the importance of sharing the Gospel with others. As we reflect on this miraculous event, may we be renewed in our faith and committed to sharing the good news with others.
From the moment Judas betrayed Jesus, and as Jesus endured torture, illegal trials, crucifixion, and burial, the future of humanity hung in the balance. On that morning, the first Sunday after Passover so many years ago, everything changed. God re-tuned history. Death lost its grip on us. Satan's ultimate power was defeated. This is because Jesus emerged alive, from the tomb that was sealed and that held him. Our Lord triumphed over sin, hell, and death for us by walking out of that tomb and into our lives. Death could not hold him. Satan could not defeat him. His enemies could not stop him. Nothing would ever be the same because Jesus is risen and is alive forevermore.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
In what ways does the empty tomb give you hope for the future and assurance of eternal life? Jesus is risen and alive for us, and He is Lord. Jesus is coming back for those who are his own. Praise God! Everything has changed. Our future is secured. Grace has emerged victorious. Love has defeated hate. Hope has eclipsed sorrow.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, I thank you for the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, and His victory for me. Help me to live in the light of His resurrection, sharing the good news with others and living in the hope of eternal life. May I be transformed by the power of His resurrection in my life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: NOT HERE In Mark 16:6, the phrase "not here" in the original Greek is "οὐκ ἔστιν ὧδε" (ouk estin hōde). This phrase signifies the absence of Jesus' body in the tomb where the women had come to anoint His body with spices. This declaration by the angel to the women who were seeking Jesus' body, indicates that He had risen from the dead, just as He had foretold. The word "οὐκ" (ouk) is a negative particle, indicating "not" or "no." "ἔστιν" (estin) is the present tense form of the verb "εἰμί" (eimi), meaning "to be." "ὧδε" (hōde) means "here" or "in this place." Together, the phrase emphasizes the physical absence of Jesus' body in the tomb. This phrase reminds us that Jesus is not confined to the grave but is alive and active in our midst. It challenges us to embrace the reality of His resurrection and to live in the light of His victory over sin and death. It was a declaration of hope and triumph, transforming the sorrow and confusion of the women into joy and awe. Reflections: As you meditate on the words "not here," consider how they speak to the reality of Jesus' resurrection and what it means for your faith. How does the empty tomb affirm the truth of the gospel message, and how does it impact your relationship with Jesus today?
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