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Scripture
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"—and that he had said these things to her.—John 20:11-18
Devotional
Of all the historic moments in our nation's history, name one you wish you could have seen and experienced live and from the front row.
As a history buff, I wish I could have sit front row at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream Speech," given on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Yet the music enthusiast in me would have loved to hear Jimmy Hendrix playing live at Woodstock. And of course, the sports addict in me would have enjoyed sitting center ice at the "Miracle on Ice" standoff between the USA and the USSR in 1980.
But I think Mary Magdalene had the best front-row seat of all time. She had a front seat to the most significant moment in redemptive history—the resurrection of Jesus Christ and humanity's victory over sin. Could there be a more significant moment in all history?
It's Mary Magdalene, a little known woman, who gets to witness the epic defeat of evil in salvation's knock-out punch. A battle that lasted thousands of years, beginning in the Garden. While the story to spectators appears to culminate on a cross, this was not the end of the story. While they defeated every other man who hung on a cross, this was not the case for Christ—not our God.
For Jesus, the mockery, beatings, judgment, sentencing, cross, and even the grave were the path to ultimate victory. What looked to be inevitable defeat was just delayed gratification for Jesus—he had one more overtime period to play. And in this period, sudden death golden goal victory. And then he reveals his resurrected body to an unlikely quiet woman, Mary Magdalene. It was just the call of her name that gets her attention – "Mary." I find this to be just like Jesus. He was always calling out by name the most unlikely of people through unusual means.
Yet this is you and me. We are little known people who are in desperate need of salvation from our sin and selfishness. We, just like Mary, are the most unlikely of candidates who are defeated by sin but find victory in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Savior of men.
Insert yourself into the story. And insert your name into the most incredible and loving comment spoken by a resurrected Savior, “Jesus calls to you—“____________________.”
This week we are focusing on the discipline of ministry.
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Scripture
Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.—John 19:38-42
We may be so familiar with the account of Jesus’ death and resurrection, that we may miss the significance of his burial. But burial wasn’t guaranteed for criminals who were crucified. In fact, the Romans often provided no burial at all to those they crucified. To add to their shameful death, they would leave them on the cross at the mercy of scavenger animals like vultures. But in some cases, they would relent and release them to family members to be buried. Add to this that Jews at this time, would not bury the executed in a traditional family tomb. The most likely resting place was a common grave with other criminals. Imagine if this had been the fate of Jesus.
It might have been except for the courageous act of Joseph and Nicodemus. Both, who ironically, had come to follow Jesus in secret. Even in the midst of fear, Joseph takes a significant risk. Mark 15:42-43 describes Joseph’s actions this way:
“It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.”
Joseph was a prominent member of the Sanhedrin, the leadership council who had just convicted Jesus and sentenced him to death. Luke tells us that Joseph was one of the council members who made it clear that he did not agree with the decision. Think of this: Jesus’ family members didn’t go to ask for his body, but Joseph, a member of the council who sent Jesus to his death, did. That is courage.
Think of how far Joseph had come. From someone who must have been quite skeptical of Jesus at first, given Joseph’s role as a Jewish leader, to someone who takes great risk to ensure Jesus has a proper burial. A burial not in a mass grave, but in a tomb—a tomb that would soon be empty and reveal a resurrected Lord. Today take a risk and share Christ with someone else. They may be skeptical at first, but you have no idea how their life may change and the role they will have in Christian history.
This week we are focusing on the discipline of ministry.
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Scripture
Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals — one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.—Luke 23:32-34
How does Jesus have the composure and presence to make a statement as he does at this moment? “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” I have often reflected how much inner strength is required to endure this moment of cruelty; much less still have the composure to make a declaration that is completely others-focused. Now that is a real man and real strength.
I believe many men are stumped by the best definition of "masculine strength." As people who are genetically designed to be men, I still think we are stumped by what it means to be a man. Of course, the answer is not easy to find because strong godly male role models are in short supply. Because of this, we often default to turning to a fallen world of inadequate role models to assess the distinctive qualities and features of true masculine strength. And as we all know, our culture poorly defines masculine power, and I know this because I have embraced wrong beliefs on this subject that have led me to poor behavior.
I believe we see a profound example of masculine strength in these twelve words of Jesus. I think Jesus’ posture here represents a glimpse of real power; masculine and spiritual. Strength like no other. Not strength that conquers people through authority, manipulation, or domination, but rather a paradoxical force, one that appears weak yet is superhuman to those with spiritual sight. A strength that makes us uncomfortable because our flesh wants to reject it. It is a strength we rarely witness in ourselves or others.
In Christ, I see the greatest strength at this moment, and this moment he is the model. Strength is to possess the inner power to submit to God’s sovereign plan while living through injustice while remaining focused on the eternal destiny of others. While we may not be able to understand the complexity of this moment, this is Christ’s definition of strength.
As you look for ministry opportunities today, seek to live out spiritual, not physical strength. Find ways to go low before others, think of others first, being mindful of God, and less of yourself. Strength is found in using your gifts in the most humble of ways.
This week we are focusing on the discipline of ministry.
Your Call To Act (C.T.A.) today is:
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Scripture
Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?" "I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." The high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we need any more witnesses?" he asked. "You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" They all condemned him as worthy of death.—Mark 14:61-64
This is a moment that reveals exactly who Jesus was. While for a long time, he concealed this, he did this only because he knew that the revelation of deity would lead to his death. His confession is powerful if heard in light of Daniel 7:13-14.
In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.—Daniel 7:13-14.
Jesus is using the scriptures from this prophet of old, as evidence for who he is. The response is so blasphemous to the high priest that he tears his clothes. But the declaration and proclamation of Jesus are finally made. In light of Peter's denial in yesterday's devotional, we see a remarkable contrast. Jesus is a man of conviction. Sold out. Willing to die. Ready to sacrifice. His time has come. The torture of the cross could be on his mind, but even more, the truth must win out. It was not time to back down or hide; it was time to step out and to finish the final act of his life. He was not a martyr—he willingly died. He gave his life because he valued ours.
Today take a risk. Make a decision for Christ, one with consequence. Maybe consider living out the ministry he has called you to do. Stop putting off the calling and ministry for later, do it today. Maybe schedule a meeting to talk with someone about how they took the first step. Build a website and promote it. Gather a prayer team. Write a business plan. Invest some money. Take a small step that you cannot retrieve. And go all-in, living with conviction.
This week we are focusing on the discipline of ministry.
Your Call To Act (C.T.A.) today is:
⚡Share That You Completed Today's Challenge