The Resurrection Of Jesus Series

The Resurrection of Jesus

Mark 16:1-20

- Reminder, final msg in Mark, Wed Oct 22, will be “open forum” style

- Jesus is demonstrated in this book as a “servant”

-- Today we conclude our Mark series (approximately 17 weeks)

- On Sunday we saw the final day of Jesus’ life playing out

-- It is important that we keep ONE specific verse in mind here (prophecy)

-- Isaiah 53:10, “Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.”

- What has Jesus gone through up until now?

-- He has been betrayed a disciple … someone He trusted

-- He has been abandoned by His friends … those He spoke life into

-- He has been beaten beyond anything anyone should deserve … for you and me

-- He has been crucified … totally alone to suffer in anguish

-- He was buried in a borrowed tomb … abandoned by those around Him

- Jesus has become the complete embodiment of sin, by God’s will (Isa 53:10)

- Read Mark 16:1-8

∆ Point 1 – I am the Resurrection (1-8)

- In v1 we see these same women Mark honored in Ch. 15 coming to the tomb

-- They would have been coming to anoint Jesus, but not to embalm Him

-- This would’ve helped with the aroma in the process of decomposition

-- It was a process of honor they were coming to perform; to honor Him alone

- The Jewish week begins on Sunday (Sabbath on Sat), so this is when it is (v2)

-- They are headed to the tomb at daybreak (realistically, in order to see their way)

-- Since the Sabbath would’ve ended at 6pm, it would already be too dark

- As they are walking, they are thinking “Who will roll away the stone?”

-- Gospel of Matthew tells us there were guards placed at the tomb

- Turn to and read Matthew 27:62-66

- This would be to prevent looting; and to ensure Jesus stayed put in tomb!

-- It was out of fear; they wanted to end the rumors of a “resurrection”

- Upon arriving they see something only describable as amazing

-- 1) The stone had been rolled away

-- 2) A man dressed in a white robe is standing there to greet them

-- Their clothes are a dazzling white, indicating glory and God’s purity

- Luke 24:4 records this also: “While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.”

-- What they are seeing is an angel, dressed in white; pure as God’s holiness

- This is a total surprise to see this happening; they are “alarmed” (v5/6)

-- They are having a conversation with an angel, telling them Jesus is alive!

- v6 says, “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here.”

- We have to chat about the importance of this sentence here …

-- To the Christian, this is the most important verse of all of Mark; or the Bible!

-- He is risen – He is not here – He is alive (just as He said He would be!)

-- This one verse is what we base our entire hope and promise on!

- HUGE: If this verse is a lie, then truly, what can we believe?

-- Mark 9:31, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.”

- This command they give the ladies to “go and tell” is of GREAT importance

-- Remember, they have all fled ad abandoned Jesus when He was arrested

-- Even Peter denied ever being associated with Jesus when he was asked

-- APP: This message would’ve been a VERY welcome statement

- Note: Peter is dictating this Gospel, and to him, this is MUCH needed news

-- “Go tell the disciples AND Peter …”; give the news that He is alive!

- They are instructed to go to Galilee, but why Galilee? Why not Jerusalem?

-- The followers of Jesus are not there, they’ve assembled away from Jerusalem

-- They are gathering together for strength

- TRANS: The bible says the women left afraid and fled from the tomb

-- Why? Women do not rank in Jerusalem, their testimony is not counted

-- These women have been given this message to encourage the disciples

-- Yet, knowing that, they could not contain and stifle the GOOD NEWS!

- Read Mark 16:9-14

∆ Point 2 – Seeing is Believing (9-14)