Tuesday, April 6

Prayer: As you focus your mind and heart on God’s word today, ask the Holy Spirit to identify and remove any distraction or barrier that might keep Jesus from speaking to you.

Read:
Mark 16:1-7
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome brought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"

But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

"Don’t be afraid," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.'"

We all carry stones in our backpacks – some are heavier than others. The stone in Peter’s backpack was marked “regret.” Remember that it was Peter who had three times denied that he even knew Jesus on the night of Jesus’ arrest and mock-trial. Peter’s courage had failed him and he had failed his Lord and Master.

Notice the very specific message of the angel; “But go, and tell his disciples, and Peter…” Just two words, “and Peter,” but those two words made all the difference! Can you imagine what those two words did for Peter? Not only was Jesus risen from the dead, but Jesus wanted to see Peter! Even though he had abandoned his Lord to torture and death – Jesus still loved him and would restore him by his forgiving grace.

Do you have any stones marked “regret” in your backpack?

Take some time in prayer to identify these heavy and painful stones – put them before the Lord – then ask and allow him to take them from you and carry them for you!

Brian Coffey