Mark 16: Risen, He's Risen!

Opening prayer: Thank You Lord for the luxury of Bible Study! We thank You for journeying us through Mark and preparing us for a new season in Project Logos. We bless the project and trust You to work mightily through it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Analysis: Jews could not work on the Sabbath and thus postponed their activities until after. Three women were recorded en route the tomb to anoint Jesus’ corpse, concerned about the stone that blocked them from Jesus. Upon arrival, we see that the stone, despite being supposedly impossible to move, was rolled away.

Stone symbolises firmness, like the Law. The covenant of Law is impossible to remove by man and even by God, because God keeps covenant, but only God can replace the covenant of Law with the covenant of grace, so that we may enter His presence. Similar to how the Law erects the curtain that distances man from God, grace tears down the veil and draws man to God.

Natural it may be for us to assume Jesus being perpetually dead, the women were astounded by the stone, the white man and the news that Jesus had risen. Jesus was crucified, but He had risen as well! Jesus had overcome death, and Paul will soon explain how significant this is: to assure us of our salvation. He was “…raised to life on account of us being justified.” (Romans 4:25)

Verse 7 describes someone specific: “Go tell my His disciples and Peter”. Why Peter? Peter was the disciple who denied knowing Jesus thrice and would be the last person anyone would want to meet. Not so with Jesus: the God of grace extends more grace indefinitely to the more underserving. Among the disciples, John was the first that Jesus met.

Mary, a woman (back in sexist Bible times) who was exorcised of 7 demons, was the first human that Jesus met. It was a woman who led humanity into the Fall but by grace, yet another woman was the first recipient of restoration. And when Mary preached this good news to the disciples, they didn’t believe her, for perhaps two reasons: (i) the account of a woman lacked credibility or (ii) in and of themselves they couldn’t believe the news.

The message of the women did not work, so Jesus sent two other disciples which Luke 24 elaborates on to tell the disciples. But even with a corroborative source, they still did not believe. Finally, Jesus appeared to them personally. They believe because they saw; we see because we believe. Jesus ‘rebuked’ them of lack of faith, but not in a harsh tone as depicted by the English vernacular.

“Peace be with you…why are your hearts filled with doubt?” (Luke 24:36, 38) Jesus corrected them tenderly with compassion, though perhaps Mark used strong language to conversely encourage strong and bold faith of the believers. Jesus then gives them the Great Commission, to preach the Gospel to everyone that people may have an opportunity to believe (and baptise according to the then-Israelite tradition) and hence be saved.

They will, in Jesus’ name, cast out demons, speak in tongues, reign over serpents (a handy metaphor for evil), heal the sick and be impervious to poison. When God’s word is brought forth, nothing can stop it, but the reception of the recipient (Mark 4, Parable of the Sower).

Mark ends off this way: Jesus was (passively) ascended to heaven, as though He wanted to stay on earth, and the disciples in due time preached to Gospel everywhere they went, confirming God’s presence with them with the signs. We’ve got a mission here on earth, to advance the Kingdom, perhaps not in the same form as Bible times, but in our context, reveal Jesus everywhere we go. Through our lives, actions, words, let’s emanate Christ to the world, that they may know that Jesus is real, He has risen from the dead and has the power to save us completely. Amen.

Closing prayer: Thank You Lord for rising from the dead. Lord, we are eternally grateful. Keep our eyes on You and we declare Your promise that You will never let us go. Use us mightily as Your vessels. We are not perfect, just like Your disciples, but Lord, by Your grace, use us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.