Written ~ 02-29-2024
Read Mark Chapter Sixteen
Mark 16
So here we have the triumphal ending to this part of the story. Yesterday in chapter 15 we learned about the cruelty of the soldiers and the delight of those who wanted Jesus dead. And now in chapter 16 we learn Jesus has risen from the dead, He has forever conquered death.
When Mary, Mary Magdalene and Salome went to the tomb where Jesus had been buried, they were stunned to find that the huge stone had been rolled away from its entrance (verse 16:4).
Let’s stop for a moment and think about what may have been going through the minds of these women. They were grieving the loss of their beloved Messiah, they were going to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body with burial spices. They were not expecting Jesus to be missing. They had watched Him die and knew where He was laid to rest. Does it seem to you that they didn’t believe Jesus when He said He must die, but that He would rise from the dead? Because of their alarm and shocked expressions when they found the tomb empty, it seems highly unlikely that in this moment they remembered what Jesus had said. That’s when they encountered a young man dressed in a white robe sitting inside the tomb. It was then they were told that Jesus was not there, but that He had risen from the dead (verse 16:6).
Verse 16:8,
“The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing to anyone because they were too frightened. Then they briefly reported all this to Peter and his companions…”
Can you imagine the past couple of days, all that these women had witnessed? They had looked upon the body of Jesus torn open from the flogging, His face badly bruised from being hit with a club, repeatedly. They saw Him being nailed to a cross and witnessed His last breath. They were there when His body was laid in the tomb. Their grief would have been very great. It’s no wonder that after the young man sitting inside the tomb told them that Jesus had risen that their minds would have been absolutely blown! Would they have thought back to the times Jesus had said this would happen? Even the disciples, those men who were closest to Jesus, even they did not believe He had risen from the dead. It took several appearances for Jesus to convince the disciples that He wasn’t just a ghost or delusion.
The events that happened over this Passover weekend are marked in history. As believers we have the accepted the truth of Jesus, we believe and accept that He did die on a cross, we accept and believe that three days later he rose from that tomb and is alive, seated at the Right Hand of the Father in Heaven.
Because of these events, Jesus forever conquered death and for those of us who believe and accept Him as Lord and Savior, we have the assurance we will live in His presence in Heaven for eternity.
This is the Good News that Jesus told His disciples to share across the earth. “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone…” (Mark 16:15) This Good News is what we have been commissioned to spread across the earth as well!
“Jesus isn’t here! He is risen from the dead!”
~AMEN~
If you want to give your heart and life to Jesus Christ the Messiah, pray this prayer of Salvation…
- Dear Jesus, You know my heart, all the things I have done and said. Please forgive me for my unbelief. Please forgive me for all of my sins. I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You came to earth to die on the cross for my sins. I believe You rose from the dead to give me freedom from sin and death. By faith through believing in Who You Are, I accept You as my Lord and Savior. Come into my life, cleanse this heart of mine, white as snow. Help me not to doubt any longer and breathe life into me, fill me with Your light. Thank You Jesus! Amen.
If you solemnly prayed this prayer, tell at least one person, so they can share in your joy!! I rejoice with you! All the angels in Heaven rejoice with you!
It is very important to me that those who might be reading these journal pages of mine and don’t yet know the Lord Jesus Christ, that you make that decision. Today. Your heart and mind may not understand everything you have been reading, but if you open your heart to the truth of who Jesus is, you will be saved from sin and death. By the Power of the Holy Spirit you will be amazed at how quickly after giving your heart to the Lord your eyes and ears will be opened to the truth.