Tell Someone What Happened

“After Jesus rose from the dead early on Sunday morning, the first person who saw him was Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom he had cast out seven demons.” Mark 16:9 NLT 

In an amazing feat that occurred over the weekend, it was reported that a British runner named Jasmin Paris became the first-ever woman to complete Tennessee’s oddball Barkley Marathons on Friday, finishing her fifth and final loop with just under two minutes until the 60-hour time limit. An utterly exhausted Paris was pictured in tears on the ground with scratched-up legs after crossing the finish line. Speaking to BBC Scotland, photographer David Miller said that there “was a lot of anticipation” among the crowd who gathered to see if the 40-year-old would make it in time. Last year, she ended the race as the first woman to attempt a fourth loop. 

And you know, when it comes to amazing feats, there was never a feat more miraculous, shocking, or surprising than the victory Jesus displayed over death when He “rose from the dead early on Sunday morning” after being crucified, declared dead, and put into a borrowed tomb on that first Easter morning. And what a privilege “Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom he had cast out seven demons” had to be the first woman, or “the first person” at all for that matter, to see Jesus after His resurrection! She was so excited that she went to the disciples, who were grieving and weeping, and told them what had happened. Do you just love that or what? I can just picture her running to her fellow believers and joyfully shouting, “Jesus is alive! Just as He said! He is risen!”

And while you and I may not have had seven demons cast out of us, we have all been delivered from something—at the very least, from the bondage of sin and death. Which should make us so grateful and happy that we all want to go and tell everyone we see, “Jesus is alive! Just as He said! He is risen!” Can you just imagine what would happen if we all did that? 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that forgiveness wasn’t free, but paid for by the death of Jesus on the cross. Help us to be bold in sharing that message this week Lord as we prepare our hearts to celebrate Easter and invite the lost to join us. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!