THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 16:1-8
“Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen!” (Mark 16:6)
By calling this the Easter joke, I’m not saying the resurrection is JUST a joke.
The joke is on Satan, who thought he had won.
Mark seems to end his version of Jesus’ life with a quick ‘punchline’ conclusion.
The extra verses (vv.9-20) were likely added by later readers, to fill out his story.
But for Mark, the resurrection is the plot twist, the turning point of history.
What better ending to the story is this punchline: He is risen!
The resurrection is a surprise that leaves women trembling, bewildered and afraid.
In one sense, we all should be.
For centuries Satan succeeded in defeating every human with sin and death.
But in Jesus, for the first time in history, someone does NOT fall for Satan’s joke.
Instead, the joke is on Satan, who thought he had beaten Jesus too.
Now, because of Jesus, Satan, sin and death and overturned, and we have hope.
I sense the Lord reminding me that the resurrection changes everything.
Today I am being challenged to consider what this punchline means to me!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I’ve heard about the resurrection so much, its lost its effect on me. Help me to feel again the shock, the wonder, and the hilarious impact of Your victory over Satan, sin and death!
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
The women who had followed Jesus came to do what needed to be done. They too were lost in their grief, and the words of Christ had not ‘hit’ its mark. Believing and yet . . . when they saw the angel and heard him speaking the reality, they were frightened, amazed, bewildered because it hadn’t happened before . . . but it had. Jesus raised people to life. Remember Lazarus? They were there. And at His death the graves were opened and the people came forth.
Being at a funeral home for loved ones, at times I thought I saw one breathing. Wishful thinking. Yet here we have the promise that we will arise and have a new body. The disciples saw Him. The women saw Him! And I too will see Him for He is preparing a place for me also. What a wonder! He is risen! Jesus is alive. Alive forevermore.
Alive alive alive forevermore
My Jesus is alive alive forevermore
Alive alive alive forevermore
My Jesus is alive alive forevermore
Sing alleluia sing alleluia
My Jesus is alive forevermore
Sing alleluia sing alleluia
My Jesus is alive