Week: Holy Week
As usual, we’re going to start by pausing and taking a deep breath:
In and out.
In and out.
We remember that God is here, and so together we prepare ourselves to be with God.
Pause
On Good Friday, Jesus died on the cross. His body was placed in a cave-like tomb, and a huge rock was rolled into the entrance to seal it shut. But on Sunday, something extraordinary happened. Let’s listen for a word or a phrase that the Holy Spirit might want to say to us from today’s Bible verses, taken from the end of Mark’s Gospel.
Read by Max
Mark 16:1-7
The day after the Sabbath day, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought some sweet-smelling spices to put on Jesus’ body. Very early on that day, the first day of the week, soon after sunrise, the women were on their way to the tomb. They said to each other, ‘Who will roll away for us the stone that covers the entrance of the tomb?’
Then the women looked and saw that the stone had already been rolled away, even though it was very large. The women entered the tomb and saw a young man wearing a white robe and sitting on the right side, and they were afraid.
But the man said, ‘Don’t be afraid. You are looking for Jesus from Nazareth, who has been crucified. He has risen from the dead; he is not here. Look, here is the place they laid him. Now go and tell his followers.
Mark 16:1-7a (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out to us from today’s Bible reading?
The women went to the tomb early in the morning, at the start of a new week and the start of a new day.
Father God, with the rising of the sun on that first Easter You made all things new. Jesus, thank you for making a new way for us to be with God through Your death and resurrection.
The angel said to the two Marys, ‘Don’t be afraid. You are looking for Jesus from Nazareth.’
Lord Jesus, we want to be like these women. We want to look for You everyday and find You in our own lives, in the lives of others, and in some surprising places too. Thank You for opening our eyes and surprising us with Your love every day.
The angel declared, ‘He is risen from the dead’
And so, Holy Spirit, come and fill us today with the same resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus, You are ALIVE! And You are alive in us!
Let’s press pause and talk about our Sabbath question which is: As our week comes to an end, what was good about it – what are we thankful for? It could be something big or small.
As we finish our time together, let’s say this week’s amazing memory verse one last time:
Revelation 1:18
[Jesus said] I am the One who lives; I was dead, but look, I am alive forever and ever!
Revelation 1:18a (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
May this Sabbath bring rest and joy to our hearts and our homes.
May today be a little less go, go, go, and a little more slow… slow… slow…
May we care less about things, and care more for people.
As we relax in God’s love, may we take time to listen and remember that we are all God’s children.
Joy lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and her dog. She works for Bridgetown Church where she leads kids as they grow, learn, and have lots of fun. Joy loves gardening, summer camp, eating ice cream, and reading her favourite books, The Chronicles of Narnia.
Max is 9 years old and lives in Melbourne, Australia with his older brother and mum and dad. He often rides his bike to school and enjoys being creative by drawing or building with Lego. Max is also learning how to play the electric guitar and loves turning it up loud!
