Mark 16:1-11 (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is Mark 16:1-11. With an open mind and a humble heart, read this passage and see what sticks out to you in this passage. Is there a verse, a phrase, or a lesson you think the Holy Spirit may be highlighting for you in this passage? After you’ve thought about the passage yourself a bit, read the GAME sharing below. Let’s go!
Mark 16:1-3 (NIV)
1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body.
2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb
3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”
On verses 1-3: In accordance with Jewish custom, Mary Magdalene, Mary and Salome brought spices to Jesus’ tomb, hoping to pour the spices on Jesus’ body, both as a sign of love and to counteract any odor. In other words, they all fully expected Jesus to be dead. Little did they know that they and Jesus wouldn’t need the spices after all.
Mark 16:4-7 (NIV)
4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.
5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.
7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.'”
On verses 4-7: The angel instructs the women to tell the disciples and Peter specifically (v7) that Jesus is risen. Evidently heaven had not given up on Peter even after Peter had disowned Jesus and experienced his biggest failure. Praise God that even when we fail, God doesn’t quit on us. He keeps believing in us and pursuing us because He loves us.
Mark 16:8-9 (NIV)
8 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.
9 When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons.
On verses 8-9: Notice who Jesus appeared to first. The one who wanted to see him the most. Mary Magdalene was among the women who very early on the first day of the week, right after the Sabbath was over, went to Jesus’ tomb to see him.
First, consider this awesome fact: Jesus rose from death and appeared alive to people! We’ll unpack the significance of Jesus’ resurrection in verses 12-20 tomorrow.
Second, I believe there is a spiritual lesson here for us today: Jesus loves to show up in the lives of those who go out of their way to see Him. If you’re not looking for Jesus, chances are you’ll find Him less frequently and much later than those whose hearts are set on Him and who are eager to meet Him.
Mark 16:10-11 (NIV)
10 She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping.
11 When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.
On verses 10-11: Jesus had repeatedly told his disciples that he would suffer, be killed and then rise again on the third day (e.g. Mark 8:31-32; Mark 10:34). Yet the disciples were slow to believe Jesus’ words. When he was alive, the disciples were slow to believe that Jesus would ever be killed. When he died, the disciples were slow to believe that Jesus would rise again. And when Mary Magdalene tells the disciples that Jesus is alive and had seen him, they still refused to believe. You could say that the disciples’ faith was based far more on their present circumstances than on Jesus’ word.
How about you and me? When our circumstances or feelings tell us otherwise, will we still believe what Jesus says? Do we place our faith in our circumstances and feelings or in Jesus’ word? Blessed are those who take Jesus at His word, who put more stock in what Jesus says than in what their present circumstances suggest.
Jesus, thank You that heaven does not quit on us so easily, even when we fail to take You at Your Word. Thank You that You show up in the lives of those who are intent on seeking You. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
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