“The Resurrection” The Gospel of Jesus Christ: the book of Mark      

Read: Mark 15:42-16:8 NLT – The Burial of Jesus – This all happened – Bible Gateway

“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 16:6 NLT

We have come to the end of our study in the book of Mark with more than a ray of hope, but a sun filled assurance of hope that our savior lives. Christians don’t hope as the world does, we have a certainty that God’s Word is true and Jesus Christ defeated death by rising from dead assuring us of eternal life. This is good news.

Last week we ended with those who witnessed Jesus’ death on the cross, Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James the younger and of Joseph), Salome, and many other women who had followed Him. The Roman officer in charge exclaimed as Jesus cried out with His last breath, “This man was truly the Son of God!” (Mk.15:39 nlt) Jesus, the Son of God, had suffered a horrific death on our behalf as He took on Himself the sins of the whole world.

Since the Sabbath was about to start in a few short hours, “Joseph of Arimathea took a risk and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.)” (Mk.15:43 nlt) Pilate granted his request after inquiring if Jesus had already died. Most men who were crucified died two or three days after being nailed to a cross. Pilate was surprised Jesus was dead. After confirming His death Pilate released Jesus’ body to Joseph who “bought a long sheet of linen cloth. Then he took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance.” (Mk.15:46 nlt) Some of the women who were there saw where Jesus’ body was laid and going home they prepared spices to bring to the gravesite.

Mark records for us that the next day at sunset marking the end of the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out to buy additional spices to anoint Jesus’ body the next morning. The Jews did not embalm their dead. The women were planning to offer the spices they had prepared and purchased as an act of devotion and love. They obviously were not expecting anything other than to find a sealed grave when they got to the tomb. In fact, they even discussed on the way how would they get the stone rolled away. So, “Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb. On the way they were asking each other, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?’” (Mk.16:2-3 nlt) But to their surprise when they arrived, they saw the stone had already been moved aside.

The Bible says the women were shocked at what they saw as they entered the tomb. Entering through the main entryway into the fore chamber they preceded to  the back into a low rectangular opening leading to the burial chamber. That is where they saw an angel in a white robe sitting on the right side. The angel said to them, “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.” (Mk.16:6 nlt) He then told the women to go and tell the disciples that Jesus has risen and He was going to Galilee and they were to meet Him there. The women left the tomb frighten and bewildered by what they had just witnessed.

We learn from the other gospel writers the women did report to the disciples all that had happen and that Jesus was alive. The disciples all doubted at first, but all came to believe that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead. Note the special attention given to Peter. “Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee.” (Mk.16:7 nlt) This wasn’t addressed to Peter because he was the leader, but to reassure him that he was still one of Jesus’ disciples. This should be a great encouragement to us knowing that the Lord never gives up on us or discards us when we disobey Him and even deny Him.

The climax to the gospel of Jesus Christ is His resurrection. He is declared the Son of God in great power. “and he (Jesus) was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Ro.1:4 nlt) Jesus was raised so we can be raised. He is alive at this very moment sitting at the right hand of God the Father. Jesus’ resurrection assures all of us eternal life who accept Him as Lord and Savior. This is the good news, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank you for joining us each Sunday in our look at the book of Mark in ‘Biblical Insights.’  I pray is has been a huge blessing!