Where is Jesus?

So they entered the tomb, where they saw a young man sitting on the right, wearing a white robe – and they were alarmed.

‘Don’t be alarmed,’ he said. ‘I know you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is not here – he has been raised! Look here is the place where they put him. Now go and give this message to his disciples, including Peter: “He is going to Galilee ahead of you; there you will see him, just as he told you.”‘  (verses 5-7)

Read Mark 16: 1-8

Mark’s Gospel doesn’t have any resurrection appearances of Jesus, nor does it mention any angels at the empty tomb. Instead, there is only a young man, a preacher, who says, ‘He is not here – he has been raised!’ Where is he? ‘Going to Galilee ahead of you.’

Galilee is the land of Jesus’ earthly ministry. After his resurrection he is out there again where hunger, sickness, death and the demonic rage – always ahead of us. In Mark’s Gospel the proof of Jesus’ resurrection is seen as he is present in the witness and work of his people in a hurting, confused world.

Just get involved in telling and caring and loving in Jesus’ name and you will see the living reality of Jesus now.

Lord, I see that this story of your resurrection is open-ended. Give me courage to go out and see you, ahead of me and alive in your ministry today. Amen.

by Paul Lohe, in ‘Assurance for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2004)

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