In this A Risen Savior Mark 16:6 devotional, we’ll learn the most exciting and important statement in human history. Jesus died on a cross and for three days all hope seemed lost. But then He was resurrected! He’s alive and well. And because He lives, now we have the hope of a new life in Him.
He is Risen Bible Verse
The gospel of Mark recounts the women who went to the tomb to take care of the body of Jesus. On the way there, they talked about which one of them would roll the heavy stone away from the tomb’s opening. Something most women might worry about.
But when they arrived, they didn’t need to worry anymore. They were greeted by an angel who 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.
What is the meaning of Mark 16:6?
What an exciting statement!
Jesus conquered death and has risen from the grave!
On Friday, things looked bleak. The Messiah, the Chosen One, suffered great pain and humiliation on the cross.
But on Sunday morning, His suffering turned to victory when He rose again. A miraculous act of God for our benefit.
Without the resurrection, all hope of heaven would be lost. But because of Jesus’ resurrection, we have a living hope for a future life after death with Him.
We Serve a Risen Savior
All over the world, Christians are preparing to celebrate Easter. On that morning, we’ll get dressed up in our Sunday best, go to church, sing hymns to worship Jesus, and listen to the pastor deliver the gospel message.
Why?
Because this is our holiday! It’s a time to reflect on the fact that Christ has saved us from our sin by His resurrection. And a time to get pumped up about the salvation we have in Jesus!
No other religion worships a risen Savior as we do.
Other world religions worship little “g” gods who are long dead. But we worship a great big God who has the power to raise the dead to life again just as He did two thousand years ago!
Jesus Christ is alive and well! And His resurrection is proof that God is in control no matter how bleak things might look.
Our Heavenly Father has the power to turn the darkest day in history into the brightest future we could ever imagine.
And if He could do it then, He can still do it now in our lives.
So, let’s celebrate the bright future that awaits us, all because we serve a Risen Savior!
Jesus Our Risen Savior
The apostle Paul wrote about our hope in Jesus our Risen Savior. And the futile nature of hope without the resurrection.
Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.
The resurrection is the central component of our Christian faith. It is essential to our belief in Jesus. Without it our faith would be as empty as the empty tomb found that day.
But our faith is not empty. It is as alive and well as Christ Jesus Himself. And it is based on these facts…
#1 Jesus lived a sinless life so that He could pay the price for our sin.
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Jesus lived the perfect, sinless life we never could. He didn’t do anything wrong. Yet, He faced the cross, the punishment reserved for only the worst criminals under Roman rule.
He did it so we could be righteous or justified in the eyes of God. And He did it because of His great love for us.
#2 Jesus died on the cross in our place.
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.)
When we think of Jesus we usually turn to the New Testament. But the Old Testament law of Moses is referenced in this scripture.
Even though thousands of years had passed since the law was written, the people of Jesus’ day were familiar with it and probably fearful of facing punishment if they were to break it. They might even have perceived it as a curse.
But by explaining to the people that Jesus became the curse and redeemed them, Paul comforted and encouraged the faithful.
What does this mean to us in the modern age? This verse is as true today as it was then. And we can be comforted by the knowledge that Jesus became the curse for us too.
Read these Easter Bible Verses that will inspire you every day!
#3 Jesus rose from the grave on the third day.
He is not here; but has risen! Remember how He spoke to you, when He was still in Galilee, saying, The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.
The gospels each tell the story of Jesus. However, they do it in a different way.
This scripture echoes our original verse from Mark 16:6. Here the women are reminded of Jesus’ own words.
Before His death, He told the disciples He would be turned over to the Roman guards to be crucified and rise again on the third day.
It’s an inspirational message of hope for us today straight from the mouth of our Savior.
#4 Jesus’s resurrection was witnessed by over five hundred people.
He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me, as one born out of due time.
1 Corinthians 15:5-8
When the Apostle Paul wrote this scripture about the resurrection of Jesus, the truthfulness of it was without question. It could be verified by over five hundred eyewitnesses. This made the resurrected Christ a fact, not a theory.
Even now, for those of us who doubt the validity of the resurrection, we can hold fast to the truth of who Jesus is, a Risen Savior, because so many people saw Him after He was raised again.
Read this Bible Study… Why is Jesus the Good Shepherd? John 10:11
#5 Jesus spent forty days on earth before His ascension to heaven.
to whom He also presented Himself alive after his suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
Acts 1:3
We believe Jesus lived a perfect life, died on a cross for our sins, rose again, and is seated at the right hand of God interceding for us now.
These facts, or infallible proofs as Luke called them, are not happenstance. They are what our belief in Jesus is built upon.
God planned the death and resurrection of Christ very carefully. And Jesus spent forty days on earth before ascending to heaven. Because of these infallible proofs, we can have complete confidence in our faith and salvation no matter what the world throws at us.
What was Jesus doing during those forty days?
He was doing more of what the Father sent Him to do.
His mission to die for the sins of the world was accomplished. And spreading the good news of salvation was the next mission.
So, Jesus spent time teaching the disciples how to create more disciples.
In Matthew 28, Jesus gave them and us the Great Commission. Let’s read it together…
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age
Because of Jesus’s death, we have forgiveness of sin. And because of His resurrection, we have eternal life in Him.
It is not a myth or a story we tell to entertain. It is a fact. And one that we are called to spread to everyone who needs Jesus in their lives.
So, this Easter, let’s celebrate the fact that Jesus lives and share His saving grace with everyone around us.
An Easter Prayer
My prayer for you this Easter is simple. That you will know Jesus died to set you free from sin. That He cares about you and whatever hardship you’re facing today. And that you will know Him as your Savior.
Many Blessings to you on this glorious holiday!
Praise the Lord, we serve a Risen Savior!
Happy Easter!
If you want to say, I serve a risen Savior but you’re not sure how… This easy-to-follow guide, How to Be Saved, will explain it all.
He is Risen Art Print from Master’s Hand Collection
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