DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
APRIL 5, 2026
READ: Mark 16 (Focus vs. 1-8)
MEMORY VERSE
“You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here.” Mark 16:6
BACKGROUND
At one hundred dollars, Loretta’s utility bill was much higher than usual. “But the Lord will provide,” she told her son. That same day she received a text from her youngest brother: “Loretta, you’re always encouraging me, and I want to thank you.
Look in your mail for something from me.” That afternoon in her mail, she found a gift card from her brother for one hundred dollars. A miracle? Not to some, perhaps. To Loretta, however, the “coincidence” felt miraculous. She always expects the living God to provide for her.
Her outlook highlights a lesson in the resurrection story of Jesus. After the Sabbath, three women bought spices to anoint Jesus’ body in the tomb. But walking there after sunrise, the women expected not a miracle but a problem: “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” (Mark 16:1-3).
Embedded in their question was a curious doubt, especially from these women—including Mary Magdalene—who had traveled with Jesus and witnessed His power. All of them, however, were looking that morning for a dead Jesus.
Instead, “He has risen! He is not here,” they were told (v. 6). That declaration explains what we can expect from the living Jesus: His miraculous resurrection power. He is alive.
When we face “heavy stones” that need moving, He will be with us and help us. He’s not in a tomb. He is risen, indeed!
Patricia Raybon
INSIGHT
Three key women are named in Mark’s account of the discovery of Jesus’ resurrection: “Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome” (Mark 16:1).
The women enter the scene on the road to the tomb carrying spices for Christ’s body and asking a legitimate question: “Who will roll the stone away?” (v. 3). Yet their question was needless. The stone had already been rolled away.
Mark concludes this vignette with the women even more bewildered than before. And now they’re frightened (v. 8). Luke adds, “Then they remembered his words” (Luke 24:8).
Matthew provides more information: “The women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples” (Matthew 28:8).
These three accounts have the ring of authenticity for they reveal the reactions of humans as they discover the remarkable truth that Jesus is risen.
Today, the same power that rolled the stone away is available to us when we face stones that need moving.
APPLICATION*
How have you witnessed God working in an amazing way? What does it mean to you to live out Jesus’ resurrection power?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“When we face “heavy stones” that need moving, (like the stone at the entrance of His tomb), He will be with us and help us. He’s not in a tomb. He is risen, indeed!
PR’s TAKE
“If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies.” Romans 8:11
“Many people fail to realize that the resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone to a worldview that provides the perspective to all of life.” Adapted – John Piper
PRAYER
“You’re alive, Jesus, and You possess the resurrection power I need!”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“HE IS ALIVE” Eddie James
The lamb that was slain, He’s alive
Forever He shall reign, He’s alive
Oh they crucified, at calvary, but He rose in victory
He’s alive (He’s alive)
He’s alive (He’s alive)
He’s alive (He’s alive)
Oh with all power in His name!
Jesus, He’s alive (He’s alive)
He is alive (He’s alive)
He’s alive (He’s alive)
With all power in His name!
The lamb that was slain, He’s alive
Forever He shall reign, oh He’s alive
Oh they crucified, on calvary, but He rose in Victory!
He’s alive (He’s alive)
He’s alive (He’s alive)
He’s alive (He’s alive)
With all power in His name!
Jesus, He’s alive (He’s alive)
He is alive (He’s alive)
He’s alive (He’s alive)
With all power in His name!
He’s alive (He’s alive)
He’s alive (He’s alive)
Oh with all power in His name!
He rose (He rose)
In Glory (in glory)
With all power (with all power)
And authority (and authority)
He conquered (He conquered)
My enemies (My enemies)
And He put them under my feet (He put them)
He rose (He rose)
In Glory (in glory)
With all power (with all power)
And authority (and authority)
With all power (with all power)
And authority (and authority)
He’s alive (He’s alive)
He’s alive (He’s alive)
With all power in His name!
Jesus He’s alive (He’s alive)
He is alive (He’s alive)
He’s alive (He’s alive)
