Key Bible Verse: The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, saying nothing to anyone because they were too frightened to talk (Mark 16:8). Bonus Reading: Daniel 8:15-18

Half Dome majestically overlooks Yosemite Valley: a massive "dome" that a glacier sliced in half as it cut through the tons of granite. The overwhelming mass of granite alone causes one's chest to freeze. The sheer drop from Glacier Point into the valley fills one with awe … and fear, knowing that a misstep near the edge means certain death. Most spectators view the scene's sobering grandeur in silence or communicate only in quiet whispers.

Our culture would have us put our faith in a Jesus who is a mere bed of carnations. Interesting. Pretty. He adds color and fragrance to life and little more. Jesus, according to Mark's Gospel, is Half Dome. The vision of the true Jesus compels reverence, silence—and fear. [Today's Key Bible Verse] is a funny way to end the gospel of Good News. But this fear is genuine for the women at the tomb and for us because in meeting the resurrected Jesus, we stand on the precipice of life and death. We should be afraid—as we're afraid of the edge of Glacier Point. But we're nonetheless drawn to the very thing that can hasten our death if we aren't careful. We're sane to be afraid. And we'd be fools not to draw closer.

—Mark Galli in Jesus Mean and Wild

My Response: What was the last time I was awed by God's overwhelming power?

Thought to Apply: Worship is the most appropriate response that can be made to resurrection. —Eugene Petersen

Adapted from Jesus Mean and Wild (Baker, 2006) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Lord, let me glimpse the staggering nature of the Resurrection, and its transforming power.

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