3 personal responses to the Resurrection

Read Mark 16.

"When the Sabbath was past..."  The Sabbath is from Friday sundown to Saturday sundown.  Genesis 2:2-3 states, "And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done.  So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation."   Later, resting on the Sabbath from work was incorporated into the Old Testament Law.

The resurrection took place on Sunday morning, the first day of the week.  In 1 Corinthians 16:2 it appears to be a given that followers of Jesus gathered on Sunday.  It is not a day of rest but of ministry.  There is much to do.

When the women came to the tomb, they did not expect a risen Messiah.  The mixed emotions of bewilderment, trembling, fear and joy overwhelmed them.  The angel's words brought comfort and confirmation of the identity of Jesus, as God in the flesh.  Everything Jesus had taught concerning Himself had come true.  With some allowance, his next words are applicable to us.

1. "You seek Jesus"
Some who claim to be Christians only think about the Lord on Sundays.  A true believer has found a personal and eternal relationship with Jesus.  Therefore, we are to grow in our faith, seek His will and way daily.  These women did not seek Him alone but together.  The church is a gathered group of believers, encouraging each other in the faith.  "...not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:25)

2. "See..."
The angel's announcement could have been good enough.  But he invited the women to personally see the evidence of the resurrection for themselves.  A growing disciple of Jesus understands the necessity of reading and studying the evidence of our faith daily.  Christian books and other encouraging resources may be helpful, but there is no substitute for consistent, life-changing time invested in opening one's Bible and personally seeing the truth.

3. "Go, tell..."
These women were the first to share the good news.  The message they told was not what someone else said.  It was what they saw and heard for themselves.  Every person who has experienced personal salvation in Christ has a story to tell.  It is not a story of our religion, our church, or our group.  It is the wonderful story of Jesus and what He has done for us.  "To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."  (Acts 10:43)