Living Faith Devotional 58
According to John Mark, the gospel writer, on the first Easter morning Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome took spices to the tomb where Jesus was buried (Mark 16:1). They were expecting to find his lifeless body still in the tomb, because they saw him die on the Roman cross a few days earlier. Yet perhaps they forgot what Jesus had said about himself on three different occasions, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise” (Mark 9:31 NIV). When the ladies entered Jesus’ tomb, they met an angel of the Lord (Mark 16:5). The messenger of God told them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you” (Mark 16:6-7 NRSV). Jesus had conquered death and sin and was back to life just as he had foretold on multiple occasions. He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!
During this first week of the Easter season, we will spend our time with our resurrected Lord and Savior reading and studying the final chapter of Mark’s Gospel, along with other portions of the resurrection accounts within the New Testament. The format of this plan is designed for you to use as much or little as you have time to use each day. Below is a guide for the daily use of this devotional:
Each Day
- Invitational Prayer
- Read a centering verse for the week
- Meditation letting the message from the verse roll around in your mind
- Read the Nicene Creed as a declaration of your faith
- Listen to and/or sing a worship song or hymn
- Read part of the resurrection accounts from the gospels
- Answer the question(s) using a journal or notebook, talking to someone else about them, or simply think about your responses
- Prayer of the Day
- Live in response to Jesus
INVITATIONAL PRAYER:
Resurrected Savior, I rise from my rest today to adore you, to live for you, to serve you as I work with the people of your church in building your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Help me to take up my cross today, to forgive as I have been forgiven, to love others as I am loved by you, to seek peace for the world, and to share the message of reconciliation. I humbly offer myself to you to suffer if necessary, with the hope that good will come from it, just as there was good brought forth from the suffering you endured. Help me to know the power of the cross and resurrection. Prepare my heart and mind for the message you have for me today. Yes, speak to me, Lord, for your servant is listening. In the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit of the living God I pray. Amen.
DAILY CENTERING VERSE:
Each day read the centering verse to begin your time set apart to be with and encounter the living God revealed in and through Jesus Christ:
The angel said, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here…” – Mark 16:6 NKJV
MEDITATION:
You are encouraged to spend a few minutes quietly alone with God after reading the verse. You may find it helpful to sit, kneel, lay down, or walk as the message rolls around in your heart and mind.
DECLARATION OF FAITH:
Read the Nicene Creed as a declaration of your faith:
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son
is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
We acknowledge one baptism
for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
VIDEOS TO WATCH:
If you have not watched the videos during the month of March, you are invited to watch the animated Mark overview video and the Gospel of Mark Summary video using the YouTube links or visiting the Bible Project website before you read the resurrection accounts:
Mark by The Bible Project
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVRixfameGY&t=65s
The Gospel of Mark Summary by The Bible Project
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGHqu9-DtXk
LISTEN to and/or SING a Worship Song or Hymn to help you respond to our resurrected Savior. You may find it helpful to use a different song on some, or all, of the days of the week.
DAILY BIBLE VERSES TO READ & STUDY:
Easter Sunday – Mark 16:1-8 (Jesus Has Risen)
Monday – Mark 16:9-11 and Luke 24:10-12
Tuesday – Mark 16:12-13 and Luke 24:13-35
Wednesday – Mark 16:14 and Luke 24:36-48
Thursday – Matthew 28:16-20 and Mark 16:15-18
Friday – Acts 1:3-26 and Mark 16:19-20
Saturday – Psalm 96 (The Sabbath theme for today is, “Sing to the LORD our king!”)
QUESTIONS:
You may find it helpful to read the verses a second time as you ask yourself these questions while pondering about God’s message to you. You may find it helpful to write your responses to the questions, or talk about them with a family member, friend, or your small group, or to simply think about them:
What is the gospel writer revealing about the resurrected Jesus in these verses?
What do these verses reveal about Jesus’ followers?
What is God’s specific message for me from what I read?
How should I respond to the risen Savior of the world today?
How will I continue to celebrate and worship, while also setting aside time to rest as I observe the Sabbath?
PRAY:
You are encouraged to let the Bible verses you read guide your prayer. You may find it helpful to use the daily suggestions as well:
Sunday – Praise the Lord for Jesus, your life, your family, our congregation, and the gospels. Pray for the people of Jesus’ Church throughout the world, including Catholics, Orthodox believers, and other Protestants. The “other Protestants” includes the new church starting in Avon, Livingstone Anglican Church.
Monday – Pray for those who are closest to you, including family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors.
Tuesday – Lift up leaders and those who point others towards God.
Wednesday – Lift up the worries and concerns you have for the world, people in need, as well as for yourself.
Thursday – Offer thanks to God for the many blessings you have been given and continue to receive. You may find it helpful to write them in a journal or somewhere you can read through the list again later.
Friday – Confess your sins and failures, and ask for forgiveness as you forgive those who have sinned against you.
Saturday – Sing praises to our God as a form of praying and pray the words of Psalm 96.
*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online.