Mark 16:1-8 *New Living Translation*
– Last week we saw Jesus laid in the tomb, essentially taking our place in the grave.
– Between that sermon and this one, between the burial and the resurrection, we have the Sabbath.
– It must have been an emotional Saturday filled with tears, grief, doubt, and questions.
– But when the waiting was over, we see in Chapter 16, Jesus rose out of the grave that was meant for us, and rose to new life that we can now have life through him also.
– Through his death our sins are forgiven. Through his resurrection we are granted new life in his name. We were dead to sin, now alive with Christ.
– Romans 6:4-5, 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. 5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was.
* Jesus left the tomb behind him, and so should we!
– Read Mark 16:1-8
- This is the gospel record:
– This is what the gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all have in common:
- Mary was the first person at the tomb on Sunday morning.
- Jesus was not in the tomb. He had risen from the dead.
- There was an angel ready to share the good news of the resurrection.
- Mary delivered the good news to the disciples.
- The report was met with disbelief. (We will talk about this next week.)
– Looking in verses 1-3, we see that Mary and Mary clearly expected Jesus to still be dead.
– They brought more burial spices to anoint Jesus’ body. Because of the rush on Friday, I assume they believed there was more work to be done in the burial process.
– The weren’t sure how the stone was going to be rolled away from the door for them. This would have taken a significant effort, and something not meant to happen often.
- Finding the tomb empty was emotionally overwhelming.
– Verse 8, The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing to anyone because they were so frightened.
– Mary and Mary were sold out disciples of Jesus, and they followed him everywhere.
– Jesus said several times that, “He would be killed, but three days later rise from the dead.”
– It finally happens, and they don’t know how to react. The are stunned and overwhelmed!
– The heard it would happen, but they obviously didn’t know what it would look like. And even still, it would be a pretty surprising thing to see.
– Example: Me CPR, the 1st time for real. I had practiced for 12 years, and saved hundreds of manikins, but that is nothing like real life!
– The Mary’s were trembling and bewildered, shocked and scared, but understandably so.
– The Greek translations of these words would be more like “ecstasy” and “stupor”.
– The implications of this moment went from unbearably painful to miraculously unbelievable!
– “Could this be happening?” (In kid at the dentist voice) “Is this real life??”
– Even though they were frightened, they still immediately obeyed.
– The angel told them to give the message to the disciples, which they obviously did.
– We can see in Mark 16:11, and Luke 24:9 that Mary ran and told the disciples immediately.
– Verse 8 says, “…they said nothing to anyone because they were too frightened.”
– That means they didn’t stop to tell anyone in town as they ran, or even talk to each other.
– The angel had a message from the Lord, and Mary and Mary loved Jesus so they had to obey, even if that meant doing it afraid.
– John 14:15, If you love me, obey my commandments.
– John 14:23, Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.
- The power of the resurrection is that Jesus has conquered death!
– Mark 16:5-6, When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, 6 but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body.
– Mark has been building to this moment from the beginning of his gospel. It all leads to this:
– Mark 1:1-2, This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. It began just as the prophet Isaiah had written…
– Mark 8:29, Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.”
– Mark 9:31, for he wanted to spend more time with his disciples and teach them. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later he will rise from the dead.”
– Now Mark 16:6, “You’re looking for Jesus… He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead.”
– This is the most significant event in all of human history, and the foundation of our faith!
– This is a bigger deal than Christ’s birth or His death on the cross:
– His death forgave sin for all time; now we are dead to sin. But to paraphrase what Jesus said to Lazarus while standing outside of his tomb, “STOP BEING DEAD!”
– His resurrection gives us new life, on earth and in heaven. We are ALIVE, because Jesus has conquered death!
– John 11:25-26, Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.”
– Verse 7 says, “Now go and tell the disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.”
– Peter has been singled out because this “good news” will mean more to him than anyone else.
– Leaving the Passover meal and headed to the place where Jesus will be betrayed:
– Mark 14:27-31, 27 On the way, Jesus told them, “All of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 But after I am raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.” 29 Peter said to him, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I never will.” 30 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” 31 “No!” Peter declared emphatically. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the others vowed the same.
– Just a few hours later, Peter does exactly what Jesus said he would!
– Peter “disowned Jesus” which was the last thing he did before Jesus died. Him being included by name brings comfort that Jesus has not disowned him back.
– This is ultimate reassurance, that just days after his biggest sinful failure, that he has not fallen outside of God’s grace, or the power of the resurrected Savior.
– Through the angel, Jesus wants Peter to know that He keeps his promises, even when we don’t.
– Don’t think, for one second, that Peter’s sin was greater than your own.
– Two hours later or 2,000 years later, you have betrayed Jesus by your sin.
– By grace alone, through faith alone, in our Risen Savior Jesus Christ, you can be forgiven.
Romans 6:10-11, 10 When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. 11 So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.
– Repent! And give your life to him today.
