Explore the Bible: November 26

Alive • Mark 16:1-14

By Rick Henson

The Apostle Peter was the source of The Gospel of Mark, so it was Peter’s first-hand account, written down by Mark. Peter wrote in 2 Peter 1:16, “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” (KJV). The Apostle John echoed that in 1 John 1:1, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life.” (KJV). The disciples saw, heard, and touched the risen Lord Jesus Christ. 

At sunrise on Sunday, the third day after the crucifixion of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome took spices to the tomb so they could anoint the body of Jesus. As they made their way to the tomb, they discussed who they would get to remove the stone. Mark 16:2-4 reads, “And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulcher at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, ‘Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulcher?’ And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.” (KJV).

The women entered the tomb and encountered a young man in white sitting inside the tomb. Mark 16:6reads, “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.’” (KJV). This angel also directed them specifically to tell the disciples and Peter that they would see Jesus in Galilee just as Jesus had promised. The women left the tomb overwhelmed. 

Mark 16:10-11 revealed what happened when they told the disciples and Peter what they saw: “And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.” (KJV). Luke added in Luke 24:11,“And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.” Strange that the church labeled Thomas as the doubting disciple when they all doubted when they first heard. Maybe they did not believe because the word came from women.  

On that same day, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene as recorded in Mark 16:9, “Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.” (KJV). Interesting that Jesus did not first appear to Nicodemus or Joseph of Arimathea, though they would have been credible witnesses. Nor did He choose to appear first to the inner circle of Peter, James, or John. Instead, Jesus revealed His resurrection to a woman from whom He had cast out seven demons. From this revelation we understand that Jesus is no respecter of Persons, as Peter proclaimed in Acts 10:34, “Then Peter opened hismouth, and said, ‘Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons.’” (KJV). 

God revealed this equal standing for all believers in Jeremiah 9:23-24, “Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these thingsI delight, saith the LORD.” (KJV). God is unimpressed with what we have or our standing. In these verses we see that neither wisdom, power, nor riches should cause bragging. Yet, to the world and all its authorities, wisdom, power, and wealth alone determine success. Jesus, however showed His resurrected body first to Mary Magdalene. Knowing the Lord far exceeds the reach of wisdom, power, and wealth. This alone will outlast our feeble lives.

Jesus is alive. The empty tomb of Jesus stands witness to this day of the power of God over life and death. The resurrection of Jesus demands a response. Some will doubt as initially did the disciples. Others choose to believe. Confessing this belief is the cornerstone of salvation, according to Romans 10:9, “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.” (KJV). 

Henson is minister of outreach and evangelism at Bethel Church, Brandon.