Come And See (Mark 16:1-20, Isaiah 55:1-7)
Rev. William L. Barron, April 17, 2022Part of the Eastertide series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
This passage brings the truth and importance of the resurrection. Paul taught that if Jesus was not raised, then no one will be raised, and we are to be pitied because our faith is in vain. The women at the tomb were witnesses to the truth that Jesus had indeed risen. Women were not credited as having valid testimony, yet God used them, and their words gave truth. The disciples really didn't expect the resurrection to come to pass; they didn't understand Jesus' predictions of torture and crucifixion. There are key words in this passage. The first is the word first. This was the first day after the Sabbath, the first day of the week. This is the catalyst for our observance of Sunday worship, in honor of the resurrection. The first witnesses were women. God used women to convince the disciples of the truth of the resurrection. This is similar to God's use of shepherds, those second class citizens, to witness the proclamation of the incarnation. Here is the first event of Jesus' post-resurrection ministry, His appearance in Galilee. There is special emphasis on Peter because of his earlier denials of Jesus. The second word is fear. Fear stands in contrast to faith. We see that with the disciples in the storm on Galilee. Faith operates on heart power, not on head power. The angel said not to be afraid. The power of God moved the stone; this is a statement of faith. The third word is see. We see the results of the resurrection in the faith within the church, the commissioning of the apostles, the changes in Peter and John and in Mark's unique presentation of the events and their meaning. We see the signs accompanying the apostles that came with Pentecost. One is similar to the sign affirming Paul's apostleship during his shipwreck when he was bitten by a venomous snake and survived. In Mark's summary, he testified to the truth by the Holy Spirit's inspiration and showed how the Holy Spirit brought understanding to the disciples. He points to the enduring enlightenment brought to the church over time through the Bible. He points to the writing expressed in such a way as to build the disciples' faith, all part of God's plan. God brought the people to a state of belief, proven by how they changed. This whole process and purpose is mirrored in Jesus' prayer in John 17.
| Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
|---|---|---|
| « The Peril Of The Betrayer | None | God's Overflowing Goodness » |
Mark 16 (Listen)
16:1 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
[Some of the earliest manuscripts do not include 16:9–20.]
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.
14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.]]
(ESV)
Isaiah 55:1–7 (Listen)
55:1 “Come, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
3 Incline your ear, and come to me;
hear, that your soul may live;
and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.
4 Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander for the peoples.
5 Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know,
and a nation that did not know you shall run to you,
because of the LORD your God, and of the Holy One of Israel,
for he has glorified you.
6 “Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near;
7 let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
(ESV)