One thing we know for certain as Christians is that Jesus died for our sins on the cross and that on the third day He rose from the dead. Not only in the Bible do we know this to be true, but also because Jesus has made this known to every believer in Him. Because He is now alive in us, we know for certain He is alive. He is risen, my friends! And because He is, I am not the only one who knows this but millions of others know this for certain now also. He has come into our lives like a wildfire that cannot be tamed. That is the reason why I love to tell people about Jesus. Even today I will share with you some examples of people who also saw Jesus and testify of it. One of them was Mary Magdalene, two people on the road to Emmaus, his disciples, and many others. But for this chapter in Mark 16, we will look at these individuals. It is written, “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. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.” (Mark 16:9-13) As you can see, the people who saw Jesus believed, but His disciples did not believe right away. There was still doubt in them since they did not see Jesus for themselves. However, all this changes when Jesus also appears unto them next.
As for the disciples of Jesus, it was then written, “afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” (Mark 16:14-20) So we know that Jesus did appear unto His disciples, but also rebuked them because of their unbelief and the hardness in their hearts. It was later on that He told them that it was vital to now go out and preach the gospel unto all the nations. And because the Holy Spirit would now be with them, they could baptize and the Spirit of God would also enter the people’s lives also. These are those that come to faith in Jesus and are saved. Later we know that others saw Jesus ascend into heaven, where He is with the Father. It is my prayer that you also will become a beacon of light for Jesus. Then, many more souls will be saved and go to heaven.
Let us pray:
Holy Father, I love You and give You honor this day and forever. I love to call upon Your Name and worship You. You are the Almighty God, Father, and I cannot get enough of Your presence. Thank You for sending Jesus, Your only begotten Son, into this world. Because of Jesus, our Lord, the payment of sins is now in place for us all. I am grateful that He took upon Himself my sins, that I might be forgiven. What a great God You are. Lord, I know that Jesus is alive, for His fire is burning in my heart. He has made Himself known to me, that I might be a witness for You to all the world. This is not an inconvenience for me, but a great honor to become Your messenger. It is my prayer, God, that people I reach will have the heart to listen to You. That their ears will be opened to receive the understanding that the Spirit of God has for their lives. I am only Your mouthpiece, but without the Spirit speaking truth to them, their conversion will never happen. Therefore, I rely on You, God! I pray that You will lead me by the hand in what I should be doing each day and every hour. That what I speak to people will not be of myself, but what is from You alone. Give me wisdom, oh Lord. Help me to walk in Your ways, that Your light will shine round about me and into other people’s lives. I only desire to be Your instrument for righteousness and to spread peace upon this earth. So help me along the way. Help me to stay healthy also, that sickness will not stop me from doing what You have called me in Your kingdom. I believe in You. You are our healer and I trust in You! I love You! I give You praise! Amen.
