Walking Towards Easter, Day Eleven

Mark 16:9 Early on the first day of the week, after He had risen, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had driven seven demons. 

And Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene, the most messed up of his followers. I love it! A woman from whom Jesus had previously cast out seven demons. Who could have loved him more? Even before his death and resurrection, which gave Mary hope of eternal life, Jesus had already given her new life. A life free of demons. He gave her back herself. Who could have loved Jesus more?

Mark 16:10-13 She went and reported to those who had been with Him, as they were mourning and weeping. Yet, when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe it. Then after this, He appeared in a different form to two of them walking on their way into the country. And they went and reported it to the rest, who did not believe them either.

And Mary ran and told the mourning and weeping disciples and they did not believe her. Even when two more believers came and told them Jesus was alive, they did not believe. We humans just have such a hard time believing outside what we are already believing, outside of what we previously have experienced. We struggle so greatly to let go of ourselves, to release our "I know better" attitude. Oh how I crave the humility that allows me to depend on Jesus and not myself.

Jesus, please help me not be blind to your truth. Because I don't know everything and when you reveal more of yourself to me, more of who you are, more of your truth, I want to believe.

Mark 16:14-20 Later, He appeared to the Eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table. He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who saw Him after He had been resurrected. Then He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; they will pick up snakes; if they should drink anything deadly, it will never harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well.” Then after speaking to them, the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the accompanying signs.

"Since this moment the universe is no longer what is was; 

nature has received another meaning; history is

transformed and you and I are no more, and should not be

anymore, what we were before." 

Paul Tillich