He Isn’t Here

Scripture:

1 The next evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene and Salome and Mary the mother of James went out and purchased burial spices to put on Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they came to the tomb. 3 On the way they were discussing who would roll the stone away from the entrance to the tomb. 4 But when they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone—a very large one—had already been rolled aside. 5 So they entered the tomb, and there on the right sat a young man clothed in a white robe. The women were startled, 6 but the angel said, “Do not be so surprised. You are looking for Jesus, the Nazarene, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He has been raised from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. (Mark 16:1-6 NLT)

How gracious of Jesus to have someone at the grave to remind the women what had happened! They so wanted things to go a different way than they did, and they were all having a hard time with the fact that Jesus had actually died on the cross! It was certainly not the happy ending they had all hoped for. But the messenger said to the women, ”Do not be so surprised”. Jesus had told them what to expect, but because it was not what they wanted to hear, they really did not hear. How many times am I like that? If it is not something I want to hear, then do I really listen? I don’t want to miss or misunderstand what He is saying to me.

Lord, I really do want to hear all that You are saying to me. I will watch and listen better. I love You, and You are my strength and guide. AMEN

Father God, You give me renewed hope and cheer at the times that doubt fills my mind. You support me with Your unfailing love. Psalm 94

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