Bible study ‘Gospel of Mark’ – Chapter 16
Dear brothers and sisters,
First of all I want to thank your for following this Bible study on the Gospel of Mark. Today I will be talking on the last chapter of this book. I myself have enjoyed this study and also loved the secrets and lessons God has learned me through the course of this Bible study.
Before reading this Bible study please first pray God for guidance and wisdom. And also read this chapter in your Bible.
This chapter is about the the resurrection
After the Sabbat we see three persons (Maria Magdalene, Maria the mother of Jesus, and Salome) buying spices to anoint the body of Jesus. It wasn’t any of the disciples that went to the grave of Jesus, but these three. I believe Jesus has blessed them for not forgetting Him after He died and still wanted to anoint Him.
However, when they came near the grave they were shocked to see the big rock moved from the entrance from the grave. And before it they saw a young man sitting (this will have been an angel). This angel told them fantastic news that Jesus was no longer dead, but he has risen from the dead! Our earthly dead is not the end of us, because we (our soul) will be living in heaven! This angel asked them to check the grave. Why? To make sure that they would become witness to Jesus no longer being death, but has risen! I believe made sure that His disciples but these three where the first eyewitnesses to his resurrection, because the authorities could easily claim that the disciples would have removed His body to pretend that He was risen. God wanted no such lie to even have any chance of being possible, so the first eyewitnesses where not the disciples.
The three did not immediately go, because they were afraid. So Jesus decided to show Himself to Maria Magdalena so that she knew for sure that Jesus has risen again! And He did not only showed Himself to her, but also (in another appearance – because Jesus is always with us, but we will not always recognize Him if we do not learn to look for Him) to 2 others. When Maria Magdalena gave account the disciples did not even believe her. Being a Christian or in their case a disciple does not always mean that we have the best of faith. So we really need Gods help in building our faith!
In the end Jesus went to the 11 disciples (the original 12 without Judas Iskariot) and rebuked them for their unbelief. After rebuking them however He sent them on their work for God. In the following verses He explains their work they had to do. And God also expects this from us! We cannot be Christians and not share the gospel with others!
15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all 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 drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” 19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
God bless you that You have chosen us to help you share Your word and enable other to hear from You.
The following Bible study will be on the Gospel of Matthew
God bless you all!