Hope

Mark 16:9-11

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. 10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. (KJV)

Contrasted with

John 20:19-20

19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. (KJV)

HOPE

Mark 16:9-11

A. The disciples who followed Jesus in the day of his flesh had some wonderful advantages. Examine the thinking of the disciples as to why they followed Jesus.

I do know that they were definitely not disappointed.

* They heard things they never dreamed they would hear.

* They saw things they never dreamed they would see.

a. They saw the thousands fed.

b. They saw the blind see.

c. They saw the crippled walk.

e. They saw the sick be made well.

f. They saw the dead be raised.

g. They saw broken lives put together.

h. They saw him speak to the wind and the waves.

THEY WERE NOT DISAPPOINTED BY FOLLOWING JESUS.

THEY WERE EXCITED ABOUT FOLLOWING JESUS. BUT ALL OF A SUDDEN IT CHANGED.

B. Judas betrayed Jesus. He prayed alone in the garden. The soldiers came and arrested Him. He went before the Sanhedrin and was tried. He went before Pilot and was tried and was condemned to death. The mob cried "Crucify Him, Crucify Him, we will not have this man reign over us. His blood be on us and our children."

They led him up Golgotha hill and crucified Him. HE DIED, HE DIED, HE DIED.

They wrapped him in a linen cloth and laid him in a borrowed tomb and sealed the door.

C. Now, what happened to the disciples when Jesus was laid in the tomb?

(Look at the text again.) They were mourning and weeping.

Why was the disciples mourning and weeping?

They had lost HOPE. There hope had been sealed in a borrowed tomb. There hope had been crucified. Their hope had died.

THEY DID NOT HAVE ONE SHRED OF HOPE.

D. Mr. Wagnall who helped compile the "Funk & Wagnall Dictionary". Was asked what were the saddest words in the English language. He said, UNLOVED - LONELY - HOPELESS.

The disciples were without any HOPE.

E. If I have ever seen a picture of our world today, it is this. Countless thousands and millions of lives today are WITHOUT HOPE. Little Children - Young People - Wives - Husbands - Families - Churches - Communities - Cities - Countries - Politician. People are shaking their heads and shrugging their shoulders and giving up in a state of hopelessness.

Today you may not see a lot of people mourning and weeping on the outside but there are multitudes who are mourning and weeping on the inside. Some of you here today can look inside and say, "I am mourning and weeping on the inside". WHY?

A State of Hopelessness.

F. HAVE YOU LOST HOPE TODAY? DID YOU EVER HAVE HOPE?

You see when the disciples lost hope they got discouraged, despondent, depressed, and desperate.

G. THE STORY DOESN’T END THERE. Aren’t YOU GLAD?

That tomb would not keep Him.

Low in the grave He lay, Jesus My Savior, Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord

Vainly they watch His bed, Jesus my Savior, Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord.

Death could not keep it prey, Jesus my Savior, He tore the bars away, Jesus, my Lord.

Up from the grave he arose, with a mighty triumph ore His foes,

He arose a victor from the dark domain, and He lives forever with His saints to reign,

He arose - He arose - Hallelujah, Christ arose.

H. The disciples mourning turned to laughing. There weeping turned to joy. He is not dead - He is risen.

If I today did not believe in the fact that Jesus is alive. I would have no hope at all.

BECAUSE HE LIVES I CAN FACE TOMORROW.

BECAUSE HE LIVES ALL FEAR IS GONE.

I. WHAT IS THE BASIS OF OUR HOPE.

The secret to the new found hope and joy that the disciples had is found in Verse 20.

John 20:19-20

19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.