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God Will Make a Way
Andrea Lende • October 21, 2021
Mark 16:1,3-4
God Will Make a Way
Mark 16:1 and 3-4
“And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary [the mother] of James, and Salome purchased sweet-smelling spices, so that they might go and anoint [Jesus’ body].”
“And they said to one another, Who will roll back the stone for us out of [the groove across the floor at] the door of the tomb?”
“And when they looked up, they saw that the stone was already rolled back, for it was very large.”
The two Mary’s and Salome were headed to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body with spices.
They had what they needed, however, lacked one thing.
They lacked the strength to roll the stone away from the tomb.
So, they didn’t have a way into the tomb.
It was their job, duty, or mission, if you will, to anoint Jesus’ body for this was Mary’s Son.
And yet, there was a stumbling block in their way.
However, it didn’t stop them from moving forward with their plan to walk out their mission.
They could have sat in their homes wondering how they were going to overcome this obstacle.
They could have tried to find the disciples and ask for help.
They could have asked for Jesus’ brothers help.
But they didn’t.
They just went to the tomb with what they had – the sweet-smelling spices.
When they arrived at the tomb, the stone had already been rolled back.
I was struck with the idea that their big stumbling block had been handled.
The obstacle that could have stopped them from going to the tomb was literally moved out of the way.
And the angel at the tomb told them to go tell the disciples about the great news that Jesus had risen.
They were the FIRST recipients of the BEST news this world has ever received.
Mary was the first one to know He had risen.
What an honor.
And it was given to her.
Had she had waited and wondered how her task of anointing Jesus’ body would be possible, she would have missed her opportunity.
She was simply obedient.
She was determined to carry out her mission.
And the Lord blessed her mightily.
The Lord can do big things through our small hands if we will be obedient to Him and not let the obstacles in our way stop us.
Today I choose to be obedient to the Lord’s calling even if what He tells me to do looks impossible, for He will make a way.
May you find the Lord will make all things possible even when they appear to be impossible.
Daily Prayer:
O Lord, my God, thank You for Your promise that You will make a way even when there seems to be no way. Thank You for allowing me to serve You. Help me be obedient to You, Father. Help me do everything You ask me to do. Infuse an extra measure of courage into my soul. Strengthen and equip me in every way to do Your will. Help me follow You into the seemingly impossible and watch You make all things possible. Don’t let me miss You, Lord. And don’t let me miss watching You do even one miracle. My faith rises when I see You work. Thank You for choosing me to know and love You. Help me bless someone this day. Thank You for hearing my prayer.
Answer: I AM the Great I AM and there is nothing I cannot do, My child.
Response: I love watching You do the impossible, Lord God Almighty!
We start a New Year! How exciting! Paul had just finished telling the Ephesians to put off their old nature. They had been run around by their feelings and desires. He told them to be renewed in their spirit. The Amplified Bible defines this to be “having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude.” As we say goodbye to this year, let us put on the new and leave the old behind. We have an opportunity to reflect on what to bring forward into this New Year.
This is a great message for the New Year. We can be in control of our own words. As a mother, I used to tell my children to use their words to explain what was happening in their minds. I tried to help them find the right words. Words that would help the situation and not make it worse. I must do the same thing when talking to them. It’s important to use words that do not damage their spirits. Words that lift up instead of tear down. Even though my children have grown, I still want to be careful how I speak to them because my worlds will impact them for the rest of their lives.
As we approach the New Year, it is a perfect time to take inventory of what part of our lives, our hearts, and our souls are not bearing fruit. What can we give up as this year comes to a close? What do we need to give to the Lord for His cleansing and pruning? The answers to these questions take time. Time with the Lord. We are creatures of routines and habits which serve us well. But we can also change our routines and habits to serve us and the Lord better. So, we can ask God to show us what He wants us to give up so that He can have more of us.
I cannot think of a better verse to meditate on as we approach the New Year. Jesus said, "the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you]." For so many years I believed I had to wait to go to heaven to experience the kingdom of God. I have longed to step into heaven and meet the Lord and His Son. However, as we read the Gospels and study Jesus and all that He said, we begin to understand the kingdom of God is all around us. The kingdom of God is within.
Paul wrote to the Colossians and told them he was praying for them. He prayed they would be refreshed, renewed, and invigorated. He also prayed they would be strengthened. May his prayer be heard by the Lord God Almighty on our behalf today just as it was received two thousand years ago. God is the Source of all things beautiful and wonderful. There is no shortage of renewal, refreshment, or inspiration in His kingdom. And as the Creator of this universe, He continues to pour all good things into His people. Paul wrote that refreshment and strength are needed so we may have endurance.
This verse is the perfect verse to reflect on as Christmas comes to a close. The Lord sent His Son to us. He sent Him to this world as a babe. Jesus was given the task of growing up. A difficult one for all of us. He endured the awkward stages we all go through as we grow past them. I look back at old picture and cringe, yes, I cringe. This life provides plenty of opportunities to feel awkward and just plain weird, but our Father loves us as though we are perfect every day of our lives. This is why Jesus came. He came to make us perfect in God’s sight.
God made Himself flesh so He could take away the sins of the world. The story of the very first Christmas was humble, yet the most powerful and loving birth ever recorded in history. All humanity changed in an instant. When Jesus was born, love filled the earth. Love came down and lifted us up. The angels came to tell the shepherds of this beautiful birth. The stars in the heavens also told the story. As we do all tasks that we do to ensure a beautiful Christmas day, may we remember the miracle that God sent long ago. The miracle of all miracles.
The first Christmas was going to be documented, so that it could be read many times over for all Christmas’ to come. It was also documented so the prophecy of the Messiah’s birth would be known to be fulfilled. Prophets of old foretold Jesus would come from the house of David. They also prophesied that He would be born in Bethlehem. And all this came to pass. Even though Jesus would be known as a Nazarene, His beginning began in Bethlehem. God’s divine plan was set in motion with the first census while Mary was at the end of her pregnancy.
What a wonderful passage to read during Christmas week. Our passage touched my heart as I read it through the lens of Jesus’ birth. “It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself.” We have so much to be thankful for in these few short words, “restoring the world to favor with Himself.” So undeserved and yet so graciously given. We are offered favor with the Lord. Imagine having favor with the almighty God, the Creator of the universe. Jesus chose to leave heaven’s door where all was perfect. He chose to be born into this dusty messy world.
Jesus had just spoken to a fig tree and deemed it unworthy to live because it had no fruit on it. His disciples were amazed when they saw the fig tree wither and die. Then the Lord talked to them about prayer and belief. He told them that whatever they asked for, if they had the faith and belief, they would receive it. I remember the day I started hearing music and lyrics. I had just bowed my head at the piano and asked if the Lord would bless praise and worship music. As soon as I prayed that prayer, the Lord bestowed the gift of song writing upon me.