SCRIPTURE: MARK 16
THE RESURRECTION (vs. 1-20)
Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices to anoint Jesus’ body. While they were on their way to the tomb, they were asking each other “who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” (v. 3). But when they looked up, they saw the large stone had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. The man said: Are you looking for Jesus, the Nazarene, He is not here. He has risen.; Go, tell his disciples and Peter. He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.” (v. 6-7) Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb.
When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to May Magdalene. She went to tell those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it. Then Jesus appeared in a different form to the two of them while they were walking in the country. These two returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.
Laster, Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating. He rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. He said to them,, ‘Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” (vs.15-18)
After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
THOUGHTS:
When Jesus arose, he appeared to Mary Magdalene and His disciples. Then He ascended to heaven sitting at the right hand of the Father which signifies the completion of His work, his authority as God and His coronation as King.
Jesus told his disciples to go into all the world and tell the Good News about salvation. This driving power that motivates missionaries around the world is the faith that comes from the Resurrection.
The book of Mark emphasized Christ’s power and his servanthood. Jesus, with all authority and power in heaven and earth, chose to serve others. He held children in his arms, healed the sick and died for the sins of the world. As believers, we are called to be His servant. As Christ served, so we are to serve.