Mark 16
May 23, 2022
“Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.” (v8)
This is how Mark’s Gospel ends (according to the oldest and best Greek manuscripts): with the women staying quiet about the resurrection, because they were afraid. Eventually, they do get past their fears, and they do tell the disciples that the tomb is empty (which we know from the other three gospels). But at first, they say nothing, because they’re afraid. And Mark ends the story this way – because he knows that we (especially his first century readers), will be able to relate to this fear of sharing Christ. Therefore, the real question at the end of Mark’s Gospel is not: ‘How long will the women keep silent?’, but ‘How long will we keep silent?’
Father, You know that one of my biggest regrets in high school, after I entrusted my life to Christ, is that I didn’t take advantage of the opportunities I had to share the gospel. Most of my peers knew about my new faith, but there were still times when I pulled back from sharing Christ, because I cared too much what they might think of me. I don’t wrestle with the fear of man to the same degree anymore, but I know I still miss opportunities to be a witness for You. And so, Holy Spirit, I pray that You would open up the spiritual eyes of my heart to see the risen Jesus for who He is and what He’s done. Because when my eyes are opened to Him, who went to the cross and then rose from the dead, I’m so filled with gratitude, I can’t help myself from telling others about Him!
— Pastor Joshua Brooks
Use the following steps to guide your daily time with the Lord…
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Start with prayer. Ask God to open your heart to help you understand and receive His Word.
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Read and observe the passage carefully. As needed, read a second Bible version to help with understanding.
➡️ What does it say?
What does this passage teach me about God? What does it say about my sinful nature and my need for God’s grace? How does this passage point to Jesus?
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➡️ What am I going to do about it?
Does this passage include a promise to claim, an action/attitude to avoid/embrace, or a principle to apply? How can this truth apply to my life? What could my next step be? How can I share this with others? Is there a verse or section of Scripture I need to memorize?
