Mark 16:1-8 New Living Translation
16 Saturday evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb. 3 On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside.
5 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, 6 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. 7 Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.”
8 The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing to anyone because they were too frightened.
Jesus’ resurrection takes us from who we were to who we are
Mark 16:6 New Living Translation
6 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.
Romans 6:3-5 New Living Translation
3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was.
Jesus is in pursuit of us
Mark 16:7 New Living Translation
7 Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.”
Jesus uses the insignificant to do the triumphant
Mark 16:1-3 New Living Translation
16 Saturday evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb. 3 On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?”
Mark 16:8 New Living Translation
8 The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing to anyone because they were too frightened.
Sermon Questions
- Transformation through Resurrection: Reflecting on Mark 16:6 and Romans 6:3-5, how does the resurrection of Jesus invite us to transform from who we were to who we are now in Christ? In what ways can you see this transformation in your own life?
- Jesus’ Pursuit and Presence: In Mark 16:7, the angel tells the women that Jesus is going ahead to Galilee and that the disciples will see Him there. How does knowing that Jesus goes ahead of us and actively pursues us impact your faith and daily walk with Him?
- Significance of the Insignificant: Considering Mark 16:1-3 and Mark 16:8, how does the account of Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome’s experience at the tomb illustrate that Jesus uses seemingly insignificant people for His triumphant purposes? How might this understanding affect how you view your own role and contributions in God’s kingdom?