Our Daily Bread: Peace to YouEsimerkki

“Mary” “Mary!” Jesus said. -John 20:16 “Jeremy” (not his real name) was excited for his big announcement. Too excited. He threw a party in the dry grasslands of the desert to reveal the gender of his unborn baby. He packed a target with explosives and blue powder (it was a boy), then shot the target. There was an explosion of fire. So much fire that it took 800 firefighters an entire week to put it out. Jeremy learned the hard way that bigger isn’t always better. Sometimes an understated announcement works best. Consider the resurrection of Jesus. How did He announce this biggest news ever? Jesus didn’t run to a palace and proclaim Himself king. He didn’t call down lightning. He didn’t even go first to the twelve disciples. He lingered by the tomb, waiting for the women He knew were coming to anoint His body. One of them mistook Him for the gardener and asked where He’d put Jesus’ body. He simply said, “Mary!” (John 20:16). That’s right. Jesus announced His resurrection with a single word, the name of a woman—a woman who had been demon-possessed (Luke 8:2). A woman whose testimony was discounted in that ancient world. But a woman Jesus loved, and He entrusted His explosive news to her. And now He trusts us. We don’t have to be spectacular, because our message is. We need only tell others what we’ve seen and heard. By Mike Wittmer Who do you know who needs to know Jesus? What might encourage you to speak kindly and confidently with them? Father, please use my mouth to tell others about Your Son.