Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. "Dear woman, why are you crying?" the angels asked her. "Because they have taken away my Lord," she replied, "and I don't know where they have put him."
— John 20:11-13 NLT
Key Thought
What would make you surrender your faith in Jesus as Lord? One of the things I have always appreciated about Mary Magdalene is her determination to hang on to Jesus as her Lord in the middle of her sorrow, pain, confusion, and loss. As far as Mary knows, Jesus is dead, yet he is still her Lord. So often we qualify our faith in Jesus' lordship based on our outward circumstances. If things aren't going well, we question why he is ignoring us and our prayers. Sometimes, if we are honest, we question his role as Lord. Let's remember Mary at this moment of confusion and horror. Let's follow her example and hang on tenaciously to the conviction that Jesus is Lord even when (and maybe especially when) we don't understand what is happening!
Today's Prayer
Father in heaven, I do believe that your Son and my Savior, Jesus, is Lord. Strengthen me by the power of your Spirit so that I never relinquish that conviction no matter what the circumstances of my life may suggest. In Jesus' mighty and glorious name, I pray. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
- Philippians 2:5-11
- Romans 10:9-13
- Acts 2:36-39
About This Devotional
What Jesus Did is a one-year devotional guide through the gospels, using one short passage each day and following the Gospel in consecutive order. Each devotional consists of a passage, reflection and a prayer which opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges you to live for Jesus.
What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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