REFLECTING ON THE RESURRECTION
Mark 16:6 - And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
An expected event unexpectedly happened! Despite Jesus’s threefold announcement that he would rise from the dead (see Matt 16:21–23, Matt 17:22–23, Matt 20:17–19), the eleven apostles were not present and the women at the tomb were prepared to cover his dead body with aromatic spices (16:1). Imagine their understandable alarm when they discovered the unguarded sepulcher, the magnificent angel, and the empty tomb (16:2-5). The angel unmistakably announced that Jesus of Nazareth, who was dead, is now risen and alive! The tomb was empty!
The women were given the task to tell the disciples that a reunion would take place in Galilee (16:7). Yet the women did not say anything to anyone for some time (16:8; see also Matthew 28:8) because they were afraid. They were astonished at the angel’s awesome disclosure that God had raised Jesus from the dead. Mark repeatedly emphasized the truth that Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection was astonishing and frightening at times (see Mark 4:41; 5:15, 33, 36, 42; 6:50–52; 9:32; 10:32). Their reverence reduced them to silence and contemplation.
The remainder of the chapter reads like a summary reflection on the events of Jesus’s life with a recollection of his commands and promises (16:9-20). Solemn silence and reflective recollections must motivate a response to Jesus’s call to action. Although the disciples did not believe the resurrection would actually happen, the Living Proof was standing right in front of them (see also Acts 1:3). Jesus was alive, and the world needed to hear that message. “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,” Jesus directed (16:15). The good news for man’s bad news is that Jesus paid the price for sin by dying on the cross. He proved that his divine mission was accomplished when he rose from the dead. Those who put their trust in Jesus alone for the pardon of sin will be saved; those who do not will be damned (16:16). There is no other way. There is no other hope. There is no other message. There is no better proof!
Many Christians are silent today just like the women at the tomb. While the resurrection is the greatest and most central truth to the validity of our Christian faith, we must give voice to the truth by sharing the gospel with everyone. In these perilous times of uncertainty, the time is now to share the gospel with those who are not saved. Reach out to someone who needs to know the gospel. Their salvation depends on you giving voice to the truth of the resurrection.
Do not delay if you have never put your unreserved confidence in Jesus Christ. Do not avoid making a decision about Jesus. Do not put it off until tomorrow. No one is promised tomorrow. Why wait? If you call upon the name of the Lord with sincere believing trust then he will pardon your sins against God. It is better to stand in forgiveness in the resurrection power of Jesus and than it is to stand in condemnation under the righteousness judgment of Jesus (Acts 17:30-31). Call out to Jesus in faith today!
Daily Reading: Mark 16:1-8
Bible Reading Challenge: 14 Days on the Resurrection
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