24.209 | The Risen Christ Appears | Mark 16:9-13 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

God’s Word For Today

Text: Mark 16:9-13 ESV

9 Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.

10 She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept.

11 But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

12 After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country.

13 And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.]

Mark 16:9-13 ESV

THE RISEN CHRIST APPEARS

Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene. Mary Magdalene is thought to be from the town of Magdala on the western coast of the Sea of Galilee, southwest of Capernaum. She is one of several women who have followed Jesus and supported His ministry with their own money (Luke 8:1–3).

According to John’s account, she weeps at Jesus' tomb, two angels, sitting on the stone bench where Jesus had lain, comfort her (John 20:11–17). She then hears someone behind her and thinks it's the gardener. When He speaks her name, she realizes it's Jesus. She comes to Him and holds fast; John says she "clings" to Him. "Cling" is from the Greek root word ‘hapto’ and means to bind together. It means to bind molecules together. Mary doesn't just cling to Jesus. She holds Jesus so tightly with the intent on never letting Jesus go. Jesus responds, "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father…" (John 20:17). He validates Mary's intention but tells her the timing is wrong. There will come a time in eternity when we see Jesus and never have to be apart. Until then, we have to trust that the Holy Spirit is what we need (John 16:7).

She went the other disciples and told them everything. Sadly, they did not believe. In John’s account, Jesus appears in the room, where they locked themselves for fear of the Jews (John 20:19). The disciples think it is a spirit (Luke 24:36–37). Later, Thomas arrives and refuses to believe (John 20:24–29). Jesus appears again and show him His hands and feet before he humbles and accept the truth. Throughout Jesus' ministry, He has had occasions He addressed the disciples' lack of faith (Mark 4:35–41; 8:14–21).

Two Christ-followers, including Cleopas (Luke 24:18), are walking from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus. Jesus joins them but doesn't reveal who He is. He asks the two men what they are discussing. They invite their companion to stay for a meal. It isn't until Jesus takes the bread, breaks it, and prays over it that they realize who He is. Jesus vanishes from their sight and they rush back to Jerusalem and report to the disciples.

Jesus’ resurrection is the key component of the gospel. Without it, our "faith is futile" and "we are of all people most to be pitied" (1 Cor 15:17–19). Once we embrace the resurrection truth, we can freely say, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28). In order to do so, we must accept what God says to us through the Scriptures, and pray that our hearts will not be hardened (Mark 6:52) and the truth will not be hidden from us (Luke 18:34).

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