Key Thought

These women were more than "touched by an angel"; they were startled by an angel (Matt. 28:5). They knew where Jesus had been buried. They were wondering about why the stone was rolled away from the tomb. They were startled to see an angel where Jesus had been buried. No matter what they imagined would happen at the tomb, they had no expectation that they would be greeted by an angel telling them that Jesus was raised from the dead. What an overwhelming and "gloriously frightening" experience. One day, we too will be startled by angels as they return with the Lord to take us home to his glory. Let's live each day in expectation of that day and look forward to being "startled by an angel."

Today's Prayer

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O Father, I look forward to the day your Son returns in glory with the holy angels of heaven. Help me live with expectation, joy, anticipation, and wonder as I await that day. Use my life to help prepare others for your Son's return and to be a blessing to them until that day dawns. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

The next day after the Sabbath day, Mary from Magdala, Salome, and Mary the mother of James bought some sweet-smelling spices. They wanted to put the spices on Jesus' body. Very early on that day, the first day of the week, the women were going to the tomb. It was very early after sunrise. The women said to each other, "There is a large stone covering the entrance of the tomb. Who will move the stone for us?" Then the women looked and saw that the stone was moved. The stone was very large, but it was moved away from the entrance. The women walked into the tomb. They saw a young man there wearing a white robe. The man was sitting on the right side of the tomb. The women were afraid. But the man said, "Don't be afraid. You are looking for Jesus from Nazareth, the one that was killed on a cross. He has risen from death! He is not here. Look, here is the place they put him when he was dead. Now go and tell his followers. And {be sure to} tell Peter. Tell them, 'Jesus is going into Galilee. He will be there before you. You will see him there like he told you before.'" The women were very afraid and confused. They left the tomb and ran away. The women did not tell about what happened, because they were afraid. [Some of the oldest Greek copies of Mark end the book here.]

— Mark 16:1-8 (ERV)

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.