The Resurrection – Mark 16
The gospel of Mark is an abbreviated synopsis of events which were further expanded on in Matthew and Luke.
The Lord Jesus first appeared to Mary out of whom he he had previously cast out demons. He appeared to this Mary of Magdalene. She then related to the disciples that the Lord Jesus was alive. The disciples did not believe her testimony. The Lord Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, but the disciples did not believe their testimony either. Finally the Lord Jesus appeared to all of the disciples at once and he rebuked them for their unbelief.
I wonder why the Lord Jesus appeared to Mary first. She became the first person to announce the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Lord Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day. When the women who had followed Jesus went to his tomb on that day to put spices on his body they discovered the tomb was opened and an angel was there. The angel told them that Jesus of Nazareth, who died from crucifixion and was buried, was now raised from the dead. He told the women to tell the other disciples and Peter that he would go before them into Galilee.
The Lord Jesus gave his disciples the great commission and told them to preach the gospel. He said that those who worked with him in preaching the gospel would be followed by signs such as speaking in new tongues, driving out demons, healing from snake bites, and also healing from any poison. The Lord Jesus said that those who followed him would lay hands on the sick and they would recover.
After he gave his disciples instructions he was taken up to heaven and sat at the right hand of God. Here again we have evidence that God is three in one. He is one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4, "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"
Romans 10:9-10, 13, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
