Jesus rose early on the first day of the week. Mary Magdalene was the first witness of His resurrection (v.9). It was grace upon grace in her life that she, who had been delivered from demon possession, became a resurrection witness (cf. John 1:17). The resurrected Christ appeared to His disciples, rebuked them for their lack of faith and stubborn refusal to believe the resurrection witnesses (v.14) Then he planted resurrection faith in them.

The disciples’ changed lives and their mission was another powerful testimony of Jesus’ resurrection. They were once timid, fearful, and powerless, but their resurrection faith made them different people. They went to the ends of the world with the gospel and turned the world upside down and then right side up (cf. Acts 17:6). How would it have been possible, had it not been for the resurrection power of Jesus? The resurrected Christ promised them they would experience the power of resurrection as they preached the gospel of salvation (vv.15-18). His commission, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” is not a piece of advice but His absolute command for all believers. We can obey it because of the power of His resurrection.
Application: Father, thank You for the gospel of Jesus’ death and resurrection. It is the only hope of salvation for all humanity, beginning with myself and my loved ones. Amen.
One Word: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation”