Today's Scripture:

Mark 16:1-8 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Read: Reflect on a story in your life that pertains to this scripture.
Two ordinary, average, everyday women went to the tomb to prepare Jesus' body, after He had been crucified. They were preoccupied with grief and thinking about the logistics of moving the stone that covered the cave. They met an angel, who looked a lot like a young man, and he showed them that Jesus was not there, because He had risen. Then, the messenger of the Lord tells the ordinary, average, everyday women to go and tell the story.

Reflect: What is this scripture telling you during this season?
I am always amazed that God chooses seemingly ordinary moments to reveal such extraordinary truths to us. God uses these moments and blesses us in ways that we might not even expect. So much of the time, I am looking for something or distracted by something, but I am still trying to get things done. I might even miss what God is trying to do because I am looking the wrong way. The women came, preoccupied with the stone, and they met the messenger of the Lord who told them Christ has Risen! The stone, which had occupied their thoughts, wasn't even there anymore. It was rolled away. I want to be sure that I see what the Lord is doing and that I am part of it! It's especially encouraging that the messenger enlists the help of these two women, telling them to "go" and "tell." This text reminds me that I may have expectations in situations, but God may be doing something totally different. On this Easter Sunday, I want to be certain that I am looking for the things He wants and He is doing, so that I can go and tell, Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed!

Respond: How is this scripture calling you to respond?
We have finished a beautiful Lenten season as we have marked the days to the cross. This moment reminds us of all the possibilities of our faith which have been accomplished because of Christ's resurrection from the grave. Where we might expect death, He promises life. Where we might expect closure, He offers invitations. We need to look at what God would have for us, and then to go and tell. There are several ways to do that, as we share our lives and share the Gospel. I invite you to step further into fellowship and formation here at Grace, in worship, EPIC classes, Bible study, age and stage classes, service opportunities, an Alpha course, or in together groups. There are so many ways to live differently, and only because Christ is Risen!

About Julia Leeth:
I am a sinner in need of a Savior and the beloved of Jesus Christ.
What a blessing it is to be your Senior Pastor. I have been privileged to serve you just over three years.