What Jesus Did! 'He Isn't Here!' — Mark 16:5-6

Saturday, December 28, 2024

When [the women who had come to anoint Jesus' body] entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, but the angel said, "Don't be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn't here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body."
— Mark 16:5-6 NLT

Key Thought

"He isn't here! He is risen from the dead!" What incredibly powerful words and what an even more gloriously important truth. As we approach the end of the Gospel of Mark, we know at least three important things about Jesus:

  1. He is the Nazarene - the one who was prophesied to come from Nazareth [1] and who would do the work of God.
  2. He was crucified - he died to ransom us from sin.
  3. He has been raised from the dead - he conquered death and brought life to us.

He is not in the grave. He lives. He is Lord.

[1] Matthew 2:23.

Today's Prayer

Praise to you, O Father, for Jesus' glorious triumph over sin and death. Thank you for what his resurrection means. Thank you that because my life is joined to Jesus in this life, I can be sure that it will be joined with him in resurrection. Thank you that his tomb is empty and that your Son, my Savior, lives. In Jesus' name and to Jesus' glory, I offer this prayer. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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7 Related Resources by Heartlight

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Illustration

Illustration of Mark 16:5-6 NLT — "Don't be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn't here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body."

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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.

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