Gifted December 17
Mark 15:44 Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. 45 So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.
Crucifixion us not intended simply to cause death. This form of execution is intended as an extreme torture leading to a slow and painful death for the condemned. This public display of the conquering nation’s brutality toward opposition both horrifies and intimidates the subjected people.
Death usually does not occur for a day and a half, and three or more days is normal. On this day, the Jews ask that the prisoners’ legs be broken to hasten their death. They do not want the Jewish men on the cross for the high Sabbath beginning that evening (John 19:31-33).
The pressure of hanging on the cross makes breathing impossible unless the man uses his legs to push up and take pressure off of the chest. Breaking their legs causes suffocation and death to occur more quickly.
We can understand Pilate’s surprise when he hears later in the same day that Jesus is dead, even before the soldiers come to break His legs. After Joseph’s request for the body, Pilate confirms with the soldier that Jesus is already dead.
Pilate “granted” the body to Joseph of Arimathea. The Greek verb (G1433) is used only twice elsewhere in the New Testament, 2 Peter 1:3 and 4, telling us of the good things God has given to us. The Greek noun (G1435) from which the verb comes is almost always translated as “gift.”
The body of Jesus might have turned into a bargaining chip with Pilate demanding something of value from the Jewish council member is given But Pilate relinquishes the body freely as a gift given back to the Jews.
Into the Tomb December 18
Matt. 15:46 Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. 47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.
Joseph of Arimathea moves quickly so that all that must be done is accomplished before the beginning of Sabbath at sundown.
He honors Jesus by giving Him the best burial linen that money can buy. And he sees to it that Jesus is placed in a private sepulcher, a rock tomb sealed with a large stone. The practice of multiple corpses being placed in family tombs is common, but Joseph dedicates this tomb to Jesus.
Two women observe where Jesus’ body is taken. Of course, they are not allowed to participate in the activities and appear to be ignored by Joseph and his workers. We can only hope that the love that Joseph of Arimathea has for Jesus allows him to show compassion to the women.
This is the first mention of Mary Magdalene, out of whom Jesus had cast seven demons (Luke 8:2).
The second Mary, described as the mother of Joses, is the mother of the other apostle called James according to the commentaries. (The sons of Zebedee are John and James, the sons of thunder). To distinguish the second James, the title “the less” was added to his name. He is probably smaller than the son of Zebedee, although the title could mean he is younger.
Without the watchful eyes of the women, Jesus’ body would have been lost to the disciples. The women are keeping their eyes on Jesus.
The Women December 19
Mark 16:1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.
Although the focus in the Gospels is on Jesus with His disciples, we get glimpses of the women who follow and support Jesus. Luke 8:1-3 speaks of them: “…the twelve were with Him, 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.”
Mark tells of the three women who come to anoint Jesus’ body with oils early in Sunday morning. Jesus is dead, but their service is alive.
Their plan is to anoint Jesus’ body with the large amount of myrrh and aloes brought by Nicodemus to the tomb provided by Joseph of Arimathea on Friday before the Sabbath began (John 19:38-41).
The spices are not necessarily “sweet.” Indeed, myrrh is bitter. “Aromatic” might be more accurate than sweet. The elements listed are for embalming, preservation of the body rather than covering the odor of decomposition.
Symbolically, preservation is needed at this point in the Gospel. All appears lost, but the faithful continue their work even in sorrow.
Jesus has been lifted up and called all men to Him (John 12:32). Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus answer the call and enter the spotlight, emerging from the darkness of the wings to center stage.
And the women, faithful throughout the ministry of Jesus, have a moment on center stage in their continuing response to His call.
He still calls to all people, men and women, rich and poor, of every nation, for all time.
The Stone December 20
Mark 16:3 And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large.
A stone has been placed in front of the tomb, and a guard has been set. These measures ensure that Jesus’ followers will not steal the body and claim that He is still alive.
Jesus is locked inside, and the women are locked outside. They go to the tomb anyway, for that is the essence of faith.
The stone rolled in front of the entrance to His tomb is indeed a barrier to them, one they cannot overcome without help.
Placing the stone in front of the tomb is the final act of interment. No one is to enter once this had been done.
Figuratively, the stone is the image of immobility, a heavy weight that is unmoving, fixed in place. And yes, it is the hardened heart.
Arriving at the tomb, the women see their first miracle of the new day: the stone has been rolled away!
Jesus is accessible to all. Indeed, no stone is too large or heavy to seal Him from the world.
The only stone preventing access to Jesus is the hardened heart. If we do not make the journey to Jesus, it is because we have chosen the hardness in our own heart to stand in the way.
Jesus still moves stones when we let go of them.
Afraid December 21
Mark 16:5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”
Entering the tomb, the women discover two things: a young man clothed in a long white robe and the absence of Jesus’ body. Reason asks, “How can this man be inside the sealed tomb and Jesus’ body gone?”
The young man speaks. His words are reassuring, but nevertheless difficult to reconcile with the reality of what is possible.
They hear his words and their eyes can confirm that Jesus is gone. The young man is sitting in this sealed tomb in their presence. And yet….
Whether afraid, alarmed, or amazed (as different translations have it) by these discoveries, they are off balance. The facts they are encountering do not match their understanding of the things of this world. When that which is beyond belief occurs, what reaction is expected?
The man speaks of Jesus’ resurrection, and instructs the women to tell the disciples (the mention of Peter, specifically, as if an act of forgiveness, to hold the love of the disciple close) that Jesus is going before them to Galilee.
They are given a mission.
The young man is the first evangelist, a word derived from the Greek, eu-angelos, meaning “good messenger of God.” And he asks them to become evangelists, good angels, as well.
Limits of Belief December 22
Mark 16:8 So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
The Resurrection of Jesus had no witness. There is only an empty tomb, leaving the women to determine in their own minds what has occurred.
Mark says that the women held onto their revelation with fear and trembling, not telling anyone, for who would believe them? They could not yet speak of what they did not comprehend. They were amazed at events, and their understanding had not caught up with reality.
They are in a time of transition: they know what they have witnessed, but they are afraid to act as witnesses to something so unbelievable. They are in the process of being converted to a new truth, a new vision in an old world.
We must have time to reconcile the miraculous experience and the lives we have led until this point. When we finally accept that the two are not reconcilable and accept the new paradigm, we can move forward.
This reluctance to tell of the miraculous transformation in our own lives still holds back the spreading of the Good News. Testimonies that are beyond belief require both a courageous reporter and a willing hearer. Until we have completed the transformation and become a new person, a totally different person born into a new life, courage fails us.
The women are stuck in this stage of transition. Something greater must occur to help them move forward.
Beyond Belief December 23
Mark 16:9 Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
The women entering the tomb have seen Jesus gone and a young man there. They can scarcely believe their eyes. Mary Magdalene is alone later, and the risen Christ appears to her. She again finds believing what her own eyes see as difficult.
And the disciples to whom she reports the appearance of the risen Jesus refuse to believe. They have not seen and the truth is beyond believing. They confirm the fear the women had felt about reporting what they had discovered.
We live in a world where there are intentional lies. This has been true since the serpent in the Garden.
And there are mistaken beliefs as to what is true. That began as the lies of the serpent were believed.
We are told to test everything and to hold onto what is good (1 Thess. 5:21). We must determine if the thing we are testing is consistent with the character of God and His word.
Jesus had spoken many things that His followers did not understand at the time. He had spoken of the things that were to follow, and that future is occurring now. This understanding will come slowly, like a dawn on a cloudy day.
But even though the sun has risen on the first day of a new week, they are still in the darkness of events of the last few days. They are struggling to hear and believe.
Next day
Mark 15:44 Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. 45 So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.
Crucifixion us not intended simply to cause death. This form of execution is intended as an extreme torture leading to a slow and painful death for the condemned. This public display of the conquering nation’s brutality toward opposition both horrifies and intimidates the subjected people.
Death usually does not occur for a day and a half, and three or more days is normal. On this day, the Jews ask that the prisoners’ legs be broken to hasten their death. They do not want the Jewish men on the cross for the high Sabbath beginning that evening (John 19:31-33).
The pressure of hanging on the cross makes breathing impossible unless the man uses his legs to push up and take pressure off of the chest. Breaking their legs causes suffocation and death to occur more quickly.
We can understand Pilate’s surprise when he hears later in the same day that Jesus is dead, even before the soldiers come to break His legs. After Joseph’s request for the body, Pilate confirms with the soldier that Jesus is already dead.
Pilate “granted” the body to Joseph of Arimathea. The Greek verb (G1433) is used only twice elsewhere in the New Testament, 2 Peter 1:3 and 4, telling us of the good things God has given to us. The Greek noun (G1435) from which the verb comes is almost always translated as “gift.”
The body of Jesus might have turned into a bargaining chip with Pilate demanding something of value from the Jewish council member is given But Pilate relinquishes the body freely as a gift given back to the Jews.
Into the Tomb December 18
Matt. 15:46 Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. 47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.
Joseph of Arimathea moves quickly so that all that must be done is accomplished before the beginning of Sabbath at sundown.
He honors Jesus by giving Him the best burial linen that money can buy. And he sees to it that Jesus is placed in a private sepulcher, a rock tomb sealed with a large stone. The practice of multiple corpses being placed in family tombs is common, but Joseph dedicates this tomb to Jesus.
Two women observe where Jesus’ body is taken. Of course, they are not allowed to participate in the activities and appear to be ignored by Joseph and his workers. We can only hope that the love that Joseph of Arimathea has for Jesus allows him to show compassion to the women.
This is the first mention of Mary Magdalene, out of whom Jesus had cast seven demons (Luke 8:2).
The second Mary, described as the mother of Joses, is the mother of the other apostle called James according to the commentaries. (The sons of Zebedee are John and James, the sons of thunder). To distinguish the second James, the title “the less” was added to his name. He is probably smaller than the son of Zebedee, although the title could mean he is younger.
Without the watchful eyes of the women, Jesus’ body would have been lost to the disciples. The women are keeping their eyes on Jesus.
The Women December 19
Mark 16:1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.
Although the focus in the Gospels is on Jesus with His disciples, we get glimpses of the women who follow and support Jesus. Luke 8:1-3 speaks of them: “…the twelve were with Him, 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.”
Mark tells of the three women who come to anoint Jesus’ body with oils early in Sunday morning. Jesus is dead, but their service is alive.
Their plan is to anoint Jesus’ body with the large amount of myrrh and aloes brought by Nicodemus to the tomb provided by Joseph of Arimathea on Friday before the Sabbath began (John 19:38-41).
The spices are not necessarily “sweet.” Indeed, myrrh is bitter. “Aromatic” might be more accurate than sweet. The elements listed are for embalming, preservation of the body rather than covering the odor of decomposition.
Symbolically, preservation is needed at this point in the Gospel. All appears lost, but the faithful continue their work even in sorrow.
Jesus has been lifted up and called all men to Him (John 12:32). Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus answer the call and enter the spotlight, emerging from the darkness of the wings to center stage.
And the women, faithful throughout the ministry of Jesus, have a moment on center stage in their continuing response to His call.
He still calls to all people, men and women, rich and poor, of every nation, for all time.
The Stone December 20
Mark 16:3 And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large.
A stone has been placed in front of the tomb, and a guard has been set. These measures ensure that Jesus’ followers will not steal the body and claim that He is still alive.
Jesus is locked inside, and the women are locked outside. They go to the tomb anyway, for that is the essence of faith.
The stone rolled in front of the entrance to His tomb is indeed a barrier to them, one they cannot overcome without help.
Placing the stone in front of the tomb is the final act of interment. No one is to enter once this had been done.
Figuratively, the stone is the image of immobility, a heavy weight that is unmoving, fixed in place. And yes, it is the hardened heart.
Arriving at the tomb, the women see their first miracle of the new day: the stone has been rolled away!
Jesus is accessible to all. Indeed, no stone is too large or heavy to seal Him from the world.
The only stone preventing access to Jesus is the hardened heart. If we do not make the journey to Jesus, it is because we have chosen the hardness in our own heart to stand in the way.
Jesus still moves stones when we let go of them.
Afraid December 21
Mark 16:5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”
Entering the tomb, the women discover two things: a young man clothed in a long white robe and the absence of Jesus’ body. Reason asks, “How can this man be inside the sealed tomb and Jesus’ body gone?”
The young man speaks. His words are reassuring, but nevertheless difficult to reconcile with the reality of what is possible.
They hear his words and their eyes can confirm that Jesus is gone. The young man is sitting in this sealed tomb in their presence. And yet….
Whether afraid, alarmed, or amazed (as different translations have it) by these discoveries, they are off balance. The facts they are encountering do not match their understanding of the things of this world. When that which is beyond belief occurs, what reaction is expected?
The man speaks of Jesus’ resurrection, and instructs the women to tell the disciples (the mention of Peter, specifically, as if an act of forgiveness, to hold the love of the disciple close) that Jesus is going before them to Galilee.
They are given a mission.
The young man is the first evangelist, a word derived from the Greek, eu-angelos, meaning “good messenger of God.” And he asks them to become evangelists, good angels, as well.
Limits of Belief December 22
Mark 16:8 So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
The Resurrection of Jesus had no witness. There is only an empty tomb, leaving the women to determine in their own minds what has occurred.
Mark says that the women held onto their revelation with fear and trembling, not telling anyone, for who would believe them? They could not yet speak of what they did not comprehend. They were amazed at events, and their understanding had not caught up with reality.
They are in a time of transition: they know what they have witnessed, but they are afraid to act as witnesses to something so unbelievable. They are in the process of being converted to a new truth, a new vision in an old world.
We must have time to reconcile the miraculous experience and the lives we have led until this point. When we finally accept that the two are not reconcilable and accept the new paradigm, we can move forward.
This reluctance to tell of the miraculous transformation in our own lives still holds back the spreading of the Good News. Testimonies that are beyond belief require both a courageous reporter and a willing hearer. Until we have completed the transformation and become a new person, a totally different person born into a new life, courage fails us.
The women are stuck in this stage of transition. Something greater must occur to help them move forward.
Beyond Belief December 23
Mark 16:9 Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
The women entering the tomb have seen Jesus gone and a young man there. They can scarcely believe their eyes. Mary Magdalene is alone later, and the risen Christ appears to her. She again finds believing what her own eyes see as difficult.
And the disciples to whom she reports the appearance of the risen Jesus refuse to believe. They have not seen and the truth is beyond believing. They confirm the fear the women had felt about reporting what they had discovered.
We live in a world where there are intentional lies. This has been true since the serpent in the Garden.
And there are mistaken beliefs as to what is true. That began as the lies of the serpent were believed.
We are told to test everything and to hold onto what is good (1 Thess. 5:21). We must determine if the thing we are testing is consistent with the character of God and His word.
Jesus had spoken many things that His followers did not understand at the time. He had spoken of the things that were to follow, and that future is occurring now. This understanding will come slowly, like a dawn on a cloudy day.
But even though the sun has risen on the first day of a new week, they are still in the darkness of events of the last few days. They are struggling to hear and believe.
Next day