Mark 16

The Explanation

It was very early in the morning. The sun was just coming up. The sky was pink and the grass was wet.

Three women walked down the road. Mary. And another Mary. And Salome. They carried little jars. In the jars were sweet-smelling spices.

They were sad. So sad. Because Jesus had died. They wanted to go to the grave, to take care of Him one last time.

While they walked, they talked. "Who will roll the stone away?" said one. Because in front of the grave lay a stone. A big, heavy stone. Much too heavy for three women.

Then they looked up.

And the stone was gone! Rolled away! The grave stood wide open.

The women went inside. And there sat someone. A young man, in clothes as white as snow. The women were so surprised they could hardly breathe.

"Don't be scared," the young man said. "You are looking for Jesus. But Jesus is not here. He is alive! Look, this is where He was lying. And now He is up. Go and tell it!"

What Does This Mean?

The women ran. They ran and ran, out of the grave, down the road. Their hearts were thumping. Boom, boom, boom.

They were shaking all over. Not from being cold. From surprise.

Because something had happened that never happens. Someone who was dead was alive again.

And then Jesus came Himself. He stood right in front of Mary. Alive. Really alive.

Mary ran to Jesus' friends. "I have seen Him!" she said. "Jesus is alive!"

But the friends shook their heads. They did not believe it. They were still crying.

The Common Thread

So Jesus went to them Himself.

They were sitting at the table. And then, suddenly, Jesus was there. In the same room. They could see Him. They could hear His voice.

Now they knew for sure.

Jesus said, "Go. Go everywhere. Tell everybody about Me."

And then something wonderful happened. Jesus went up. Up, up, all the way up to heaven, to His Father. His friends stood and looked.

And they went. To villages and to cities. They told everyone: Jesus is alive! And Jesus helped them, the whole way.

For You

That is why we still tell it today. On my lap, in this room. Jesus is alive.

He is not in the grave anymore. The stone is rolled away. Jesus lives!

And do you know what Jesus said, when the women were shaking with fright? "Don't be scared."

Jesus says that to you too. When it is dark in your room. When you are alone for a moment. When something hurts.

Jesus is alive. He is close by. And He says: don't be scared. I am here.

You can tell it too. To Mommy. To Daddy. To Grandma. Just like Mary did, running down the road.

Jesus is alive!

Talk About It

The stone in front of the grave was much too heavy. Who do you think rolled it away?

Who would you like to tell that Jesus is alive?

Praying Together

Dear Jesus,

You are alive. I am so glad.

Thank you that You are close by.

When I am scared, please say it again: don't be scared.

Amen.