Mark 16 - Introduction

The Resurrection And Salvation

Mark Sixteen

Early the first day of the week Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome went to the tomb of Jesus with sweet spices, that they might anoint Him. They were concerned about who would roll away the huge stone from the sepulcher. They were unaware that "the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it." (Matthew 28:2) The tragedy of the crucifixion was over-shadowed by the joy of the resurrection. God raised Jesus to life again. "Why seek ye the living among the dead?" (Luke 24:5) The empty tomb was the beginning of the disciples being totally convinced that Jesus was the Messiah.

The angel told the women to go and tell the disciples, and especially Peter, that Jesus would meet them in Galilee. They went immediately to deliver the Lord's message. As the risen Savior revealed Himself to His followers they became convinced that He was Lord and Christ. When Jesus began to appear His first appearance was to a woman. "He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils." At first the disciples were reluctant to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead. Even when they heard from the two disciples that had walked on the road to Emmaus with Jesus they still did not believe. Later Jesus appeared to His eleven disciples as they were eating. He rebuked them because they were too stubborn to believe the ones who had seen Him after His resurrection.

Jesus' last words reminded the apostles of their mission on earth. He said, "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:15-16) Salvation must be preached to every creature. The believing apostles were promised miraculous sings to confirm their words as the preached. This was a promise for the apostles to do miracles. It was never a promise that all believers in Jesus would do wonders.