Mark Chapter 16

Today’s devotion is a huge ask from me to you, but please give it a try. We’ve talked about the drama, urgency, and brevity found in the book of Mark. We know that he was the youngest author of a Gospel account and that he is believed to be one of Peter’s traveling companions. Why did he leave out so many crucial details?

Here’s the request: Opening the Word today, I’m asking you to read this chapter twice (2 times) stopping at the end of verse eight (8). Once you’ve done that go ahead and finish the chapter. Please do that before reading the rest of this post.

What did you find? How did stopping at verse eight (8) change the impact and focus of the Gospel?

Stop for a moment and think of someone you know that seems to be trapped in or creating a never ending negative sense of drama. Are you the person? Am I that person? (Don’t tell me I really don’t want to know!)

Father, God, help us let go of all the negative drama. Focus our attention and energy on You and Your deep abiding presence. Open our eyes to recognize the barriers that are keeping us from completely connecting to Jesus. We ask these things in His name and for His glory, amen.

“On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?”” (‭‭Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

More often than not something gets in our way as we try to get to Jesus. What’s stopping you?

“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.”” (‭‭Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

We have been given our mission. Peter needed a special invitation. Are you like Peter — waiting for an engraved invitation? We will find Jesus exactly where He said He’d be. Where was that again?

“The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing to anyone because they were too frightened.” [The End] (‭‭Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

We can stop at verse eight (8), but we won’t experience liberty until we respond to verses 15 through 18. The power doesn’t show up in our lives until we are LIVING verse 20!

“The Lord is at the head of the column. He leads them with a shout. This is his mighty army, and they follow his orders. The day of the Lord is an awesome, terrible thing. Who can possibly survive?” (‭‭Joel‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Share a thought. Help us grow together.