Key Thought

Jesus was about ministry. He wanted his disciples to carry on his ministry. So he wanted them to know that as they ministered in his name, he would be with them. They would see him personally raised from the dead after his resurrection, but they could also "see" him after his ascension by ministering to others. Jesus continues to meet his followers in the places of ministry. While it is not emphasized in Mark, Matthew speaks of Jesus as Immanuel -- God with us. Then Jesus reminds his disciples that they will experience his presence in their fellowship and worship (Matt. 18:20), in their service to those in need (Matt. 25:27-30), and in crossing cultural boundaries to share his teaching with others (Matt. 28:18-20). Matthew will be the focus of this next year's "What Jesus Did!" devotional series. As we stand at the close of one year and look forward to another, let's use both Mark and Matthew to remind us that Jesus will meet us in the place of ministry!

Today's Prayer

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Gracious, holy, and merciful God, please use me as an instrument of your peace, grace, and reconciliation. May I be found as a "vessel of honor"* -- a tool you can use for your purposes in ministry to others. I know, dear Father, that your Son will be present as I minister. Please make his presence real to me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. (* This phrase comes from older translations of 2 Tim. 2:21, one of our parallel passages that accompany this devotional.)

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.