Topic:  HOPE

Scripture:

1When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. 2Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"

(NIV) Mark 16:1-3

Observation:

As a custom and tradition, spices were brought to a dead body to prepare it for proper burial. Caught up in the preparation of Jesus' body, the women in the above scripture realize that they might not be strong enough to move the stone that covered the entrance of the tomb when they get there.  And so they turn to each other and ask "who will roll the stone away"?  When they reach there--it is already moved away, not only that but Jesus is not there.

What an emotional roller coaster both Marys must have been going through.  First they are ripped with emotions watching as Jesus hung on the cross to die.  Then when he is laid to rest in the tomb--3 days later--he goes missing?

Application:

The bible tells us in Mathew 20:18-19 that Jesus told his disciples the following: 18"We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death 19and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life

The disciples didn't get it, and obviously both Marys didn't get it  either. They missed  what Jesus words meant when he told t them that on third day he would be raised to life!  And because of that, both Mary's headed to the tomb. They missed it!

• It makes me think that when the Bible plainly tells us that Jesus is coming again--will we miss his words too?  Will we allow the world to blind us of this truth?  Will we also like the Marys see Jesus just as a dead corpse, feeling a sense of hopelessness?  In the same way, will we allow ourselves to feel hopeless, drowning  in worry and anxiety because of the world's current condition? 
• We will not worry about who will roll the stone away, because the tomb is empty!!!
• Instead of worrying about things in this world  that have no life (dead) in God's eyes, we must lift up our heads and know that Jesus is Alive, and because of Him we have Hope of ETERNAL LIFE, we have a chance of a NEW LIFE set free from the shackles and bondages this world may weigh down on us. 

Prayer:

Lord, as our hearts and minds prepare for Easter in April, the above scripture is a constant reminder that our hope is in You, who is alive and sitting at the righthand  of the throne of God, and not laying in a tomb.  Help us to reach those who still "miss it" and have not made the connection of who you are and what will happen in your second coming.  We pray that we may be guided by Your Holy Spirit in preparation for the Easter  and that souls may be saved.....in  Jesus Name...Amen