Scripture:
Mark 16:1 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him.
Observation:
Mary and Mary went early after the Sabbath to take care of Jesus. This would not have been a pleasant task given he had been in the grave for a bit. The smell, the dried blood, a stiff corpse. It was early and the sun was just rising. They had not even thought through everything. It just occurred to them that they would not be able to move the large stone covering the grave. They would not have been able to move the stone, but they continued anyway. When they arrived, they were greeted by an angel that told them what had happened. He is risen. This simple three word sentence in this verse is the foundation of the Christian faith. He is risen. Every other religious belief follow teachings and thoughts from man. Mohammed died and was buried. Buddha died and was buried. Confucius died and was buried. Ron Hubbard died and his ashes were spread in the ocean. Joseph Smith died and was buried. All of the spiritual leaders of some of the world’s largest religions have died. And all were buried. And all are still dead. Jesus is the one and only. Only He has conquered death. Jesus died and was buried. Now, he is risen.
Application:
Mary and Mary went as early as they could to take care of Jesus. They had a sense of urgency about taking care of Jesus, even though he was in the grave. I need to have the same sense of urgency and the same sense of dedication. Christianity is not meant for us to be a weekend hobby. We need to have the same purpose and sense of urgency every day of the week. He loved us enough to die on a cross yet we continue to do things that don’t show our love for him. Not necessarily in big ways but in the little things in life. Do we put him first in all things? Do I have the prayer time that is committed to him? Do I study the word in a way that allows me to honor him? Do I get up in the morning and think of him first or think of my needs first? Mary and Mary went even though others had scattered. Jesus had been crucified on Friday. Not many opinions had changed since that day. Here we were on Sunday and the Marys were still devoted to their Lord. It doesn’t tell us what kind of hostility they may have encountered but they certainly were in the minority with their devotion to Jesus. Yet they were willing to go to the grave and take care of the one who had loved them enough to give up his life for them. How far am I willing to go? How high will I raise my head above the crowd or raise my voice to speak the truth rather than be quiet and not make waves? Mary and Mary went even though it was going to be unpleasant. Am I really willing to get my hands dirty? I don’t mean physically dirty. I mean am I willing to get my Christian hands dirty? Am I willing to step out in faith and go places that may be unpleasant if God is calling me to go? Being a disciple and being obedient means sometimes going places where it may get messy, it won’t be easy and it may not be even safe.
Prayer:
I often pout my needs in front of your needs. I often think of me before thinking of you. Allow me to visibility to see the opportunities in front of me and to take advantage of those opportunities to bring you glory. Remind me that it is not about me, it is about you and that no matter what I do or where I go, it can be for your glory.
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