Lent Devotions

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April 22: The End of the Gospel

Posted: 21 Apr 2014 06:59 AM PDT

Read: Mark 16:1-8

And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them . . . (v. 8 ESV)

The oldest and most accurate copies of Mark end with verse 8, which says that when the women who came to the garden on Easter morning found Jesus’ grave empty, they “went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.”

It’s an odd way to end a gospel, and people have been offering explanations and alternative conclusions ever since. But the basic facts are clear in Mark’s account. Jesus of Nazareth, the same man who was crucified, died, and was buried, rose again from the dead. His tomb was found to be empty on Easter morning. These facts powerfully declared that Jesus was the Son of God, as the apostle Paul would write in his letter to the Romans (Romans 1:4).

Here’s a thought. Maybe Mark’s ending is really just the beginning. Maybe we are supposed to supply the gospel’s succeeding chapters, as we go out into all the world with the good news that Jesus is alive, that he has conquered sin and the grave.

So what are we waiting for? The story isn’t finished yet. There’s still more to be written! –David Bast

Prayer: Lord Jesus, come and finish your work of salvation!

Words of Hope is an international media ministry, founded and owned by classes of the RCA, dedicated to building the church in the hard places. The Words of Hope devotional encourages readers to grow spiritually through daily Bible readings and prayer. To subscribe, please visit: woh.org/word/devotionals/.