Today’s reading is Mark 15:1-16:20.

“And he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed. you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him’” (Mark 16:6).

What more encouragement do I need today than to know the tomb was empty. Many go on pilgrimages trying to find the tomb. Why? He is not there. How much better to find Jesus and let Him live in my heart than to find a tomb where He no longer resides.

I can serve with faith today because that tomb was and still is empty.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Colossians 3:1-4:18.

Motivation. That’s what hit me the most in today’s reading.

Paul offers great motivation for all the changes he directs in our lives. He taught us to focus on heavenly things, not earthly. He said to put to death what is earthly in us. He said we should stop lying, get rid of wrath and anger, put away slander and malice. He said we should put on compassionate hearts, humility, meekness, patience, forbearance, forgiveness and love.

But why?

Should we do this so we can be raised with Christ? Should we do this so we can die with Christ and our life be hidden in His? Should we do this so Christ can become our life? Should we do this so we can put off the old self?

No.

Paul says we should do these things because we have already been raised with Christ, because we have already died and our lives are already hidden in Christ, because Christ is already our life, because we have already put off the old self. We are God’s children. These things have already happened, now we need to live like it.

Don’t get me wrong, I know that if we continue to live in sin we won’t be reconciled to God (Colossians 1:23). However, once again I am reminded that a motivation of me trying to be good enough to get all these promises from Christ always ends in failure for me. If I’m trying to get into Christ by stopping my sin and being good enough, I won’t make it. But Paul is saying, I’m in Christ. I have Christ’s life. I’m not trying to get it. Today I simply need to live like it. I can focus on heaven. I can focus on Christ. I can draw near to Him and overcome. That helps me. I hope it helps you.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What struck you in today’s reading?