Home > Reading > The Daily Lectionary – March 29, 2016

mark16-15

Exodus 12:28-39; 1 Corinthians 15:12-28; Mark 16:9-20

As a hospital chaplain, I meet families concerned about a loved one in surgery. When a doctor tells them that the procedure went well and the patient will be fine, I occasionally witness a flurry of telephone calls. Relieved family members share the good news with others not present in the hospital, often saying: “He’s fine; it’s going to be okay!”

Jesus’ disciples had also gone through a period of anxious waiting. After the angels told Mary Magdalene that Jesus had risen, she hurried to tell others. Her message took time to sink into the hearts and minds of the first followers of Jesus but with the help of the Holy Spirit, they believed. Then they shared the good news that Jesus is fine and it is going to be okay for us, too.

Recently we heard the news of Jesus’ resurrection repeated to us. What are we going to do with that message? Just as family and friends in a hospital eagerly wait to hear good news, there are many in our world who long for a word of hope. Let us joyfully proclaim that Jesus lives, and because he lives, all who believe will be raised to new life in him.

Prayer: Almighty God, we thank and praise you for the glorious news of Jesus’ resurrection and pray that your Holy Spirit would guide us to share the good news we have heard; through Christ, our Risen Lord, we pray. Amen.

Today’s devotion was written by John W. Krueger, Chaplain, Appleton Medical Center,  Appleton, WI.

Original image

4 Comments, RSS

  • What we will do? We will go! Thank you for today’s devotional. As a missionary it is so rewarding and exciting to tell the Good News and see someone’s life saved…just like someones lIfe being saved in the hospital.

  • We serve a risen savior, he’s in the world today. Why don’t we shout this from the rooftops. I was told that long ago the normal greeting among Christians was: “He has risen.” the response back was: “He has risen indeed.” I have only heard this greeting a few times over the years. Like my wife stated above, it is so rewarding and exciting to tell the Good News and see someone’s life saved…Just like someones life being saved in the hospital.” Maranatha, Lord come quickly, Ginoo palihog balikna (Lord please back now), “Visayan language.”

    • Christ is risen! Alleluia! Thank you for sharing the good news that we do serve a risen Savior. Faith in Christ is so important, not only for those I meet in the hospital, but for people in so many lands and circumstances. May God bless your work!

  • Thank you John for verbalizing what is so needed in all parts of our culture and the world — as Kristie & Danny well know! Indeed, may the Holy Spirit guide us wherever and whenever hope is so desperately needed.

    Wow Kristie — you’re up & at ’em early! And Danny, Amen! to “He is risen!”… and hearing it repeated, “He is risen indeed!” I was already energized from worshiping at an early Easter service… then supplied at another church, where the prelude was Annie (Ward)Herring’s “Easter Song”; and after the 2nd reading, Andraé Crouch’s “My Tribute” (To God Be the Glory)! And we hadn’t even read the Gospel reading yet! I was indeed most blessed! While sharing Annie’s path to salvation (she read Revelation first!), I was pleasantly surprised that “we” didn’t need to “warm up” / practice responding to “Christ IS risen”. They had it down, “He IS RISEN INDEED!!!” …and it continued to “echo” until we left the sanctuary …and was heard during fellowship! Danny, as you note, it IS INDEED “so rewarding and exciting to tell the Good News and see someone’s life saved”!