What Jesus Did! 'Gloom or Anticipation?' — Mark 16:1-2

Tuesday, December 24, 2024

Saturday evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus' body. Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb.

Key Thought

This passage is filled with anticipation for those of us who live on this side of Jesus' resurrection. However, try to imagine what it was like for those women who had supported Jesus with their funds, had honored him with their discipleship, and were broken-hearted because of his death! Their walk to the tomb was an act of love and faithfulness. In the slowly gathering light of the early morning, their walk would have been a walk of agony and deep grief. Despite the danger of being identified with Jesus, despite the heaviness of their hearts, and despite the early hour of their walk to the tomb, these women still came to honor Christ. What excuse do you and I have for not coming to honor him? As we approach our times together with other Christians who assemble to honor Jesus, let's do so with anticipation, not gloom. "The Lord's Day" is not only the day these women met the resurrected Jesus; [1] it is also our primary day of assembling to remember Jesus and his birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection. Let's approach this day with anticipation and joy in our hearts!

Today's Prayer

Father, make my heart glad to be with your people and meet the resurrected Jesus when we assemble in his name. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

8 Related Resources by Heartlight

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 16:1-2 NLT —  Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, December 24, 2024

A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
"Dear Beloved, Learn to wait and think before you speak. Give the Holy Spirit an opportunity to guide your conversation instead of being thrust into....."
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
"So any person who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin."
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
"A cry is the natural expression of sorrow, and a suitable utterance when all other modes of appeal fail us; but the cry must be alone directed to the...."
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
"God is my helper. The Lord keeps me alive! ... I will praise your name, O Lord, for it is good. For you have rescued me from my troubles and helped me..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

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.