Easter in the GospelsSample

(Video and written devotion are the same content.) Welcome to Day 2 of Easter in the Gospels; today’s reading is Mark 14-16. While each of the other gospel writers has over twenty chapters, Mark’s gospel is the shortest at a mere sixteen. Mark is your guy if you are a give-me-the-facts and only-the-facts kind of person. True to his form throughout his gospel writing, he provides a straightforward account of Jesus's death, burial, and resurrection. In two chapters, he relays his view directly and precisely. Most Bible scholars consider Mark to be the first gospel that was penned. He does not refer to Jewish history in his writings, and his account of Jesus’ life does not include his birth or any of his life but begins at his baptism. Mark documents Jesus’s end of life as he stood before Pilate, the soldiers mocking him, and the death, burial, and resurrection. He does it all without formality or fluff. The Book of Mark is a wonderful book for someone new to faith to read, as the narrative is easy to follow and unfolds beautifully. In spite of Mark’s brief way with words, fear and sorrow are two of the evident emotions he observed and shared with others during Jesus's crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. If Mark were sitting here today, I think he might say, “Can you believe we actually get to do this? We saw God in the flesh, and then we had the privilege of allowing his spirit to work in and through us.” It’s interesting how he ends his narrative with proof that Jesus was more than a man. The next-to-last verse explains how Jesus ascended to heaven, and then Mark closes with, “The Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.” Don’t you wish you could have been a fly on the wall to see the details of what Mark mentions here? God is still working his will, way, and Word today. As we close the book of Mark today, I pray that God’s promises flood your heart afresh and your eyes are open to what He has for you. Lord, thank You for salvation through the power of the resurrection. Open our eyes to the signs and miracles you’re working today. Enjoy the book of Mark. I’ll see you tomorrow for Luke’s gospel reading! [IMAGE CONTENT]