Jesus is alive – Be Still…

Mark 16:1-8 – Jesus is Alive!

Read Mark 16:1-8

What would have been your reaction when finding the empty tomb? Shock. Fear. It’s hard to put ourselves there truly because we know how the story plays out. We know the empty tomb is exactly what we should have expected. Jesus told us after all. But where was Jesus now?

I’m not going to dive into the “why we have different endings” discussion. Neither of the added endings say anything contrary or surprising in light of what we know about Jesus’ life on earth, both before and after his death. Hallelujah, Jesus is alive!

Mark 16:1-8 – The Empty Tomb

Read Mark 16:1-8

When is an ending not the end? When death ends in a victorious resurrection! The tomb was empty! Jesus is alive!

You also noticed that Mark’s gospel abruptly ends (in most ancient manuscripts) with verse 8. The sentences that follow here are thought to have been added to help bring a better closure to this climatic ending.

Luke 24:1-12 – An Empty Tomb

Read Luke 24:1-12

He is risen! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!

I love how Luke’s version of this magnificent story puts the women at the tomb. After all, the last scene closed with them preparing the burial spices and then waiting. They must have been longing for more time with their friend, Jesus, even if he was no longer alive.

1 Corinthians 15:12-19 – No Resurrection?

Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-19

Are you curious like Paul, wondering how they could possibly question the resurrection? Was Paul’s own faith tested even a little by the Corinthian’s apparent unbelief?

Paul’s words make it clear he is 100% convinced. “And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless” If Paul was totally convinced, I’m confident he would not put his life on the line every day for his faith and his mission to draw people to Jesus’ saving grace.

1 Corinthians 15:1-11 – Jesus Isn’t Dead

Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Paul is now addressing the fourth and final big issue the Corinthians were struggling with. Don’t we all wish for a “Paul” to send us a letter personally dealing with the issues that are plaguing us right now? (Good news – we have the Bible with plenty of answers!)

Resurrection. What do you think about it? Most of us, if not all, have never witnessed it. Wrapping our heads around such a miracle of life and death can be tough. Is the resurrection of Jesus just one of those things that you totally accept because of your deep faith and relationship with God?