Mark 16:15-20 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.
 
MARK has told us the disciples denied Jesus’ resurrection. Then he closes his gospel with a powerful affirmation of their faithful work to proclaim Jesus is Savior. What changed?
   Luke tells us the Scriptures transformed their minds. Luke 24:45 Then Jesus opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. When we understand the Scriptures, we know God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We understand his is the eternal God, who has sent Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins. Knowing the Scriptures, the disciples became apostles, messengers of Jesus’ saving power. They faithfully responded to, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”
   We need to know that today, don’t we? Sometimes we can become too focused on a particular speaker or ministry and lose sight of Scripture. The Bible is God’s gift to his creation. Without God’s Word how could we know God?
   Is it possible to say, “I’m a Christian. But I don’t read the Bible?” Now, I know there are many of you who live in countries where Bibles are scarce. One reason we write these lessons is to help pastors and church members who have no Bible to use these daily Scriptures as their reference point.
   But those who have no Bible still must make an effort to go to people who do have a Bible. Read and learn Scripture together. The Bible is one of God’s means of grace, a way he has lovingly taught us of himself. We must receive it as his life-giving treasure. It is our guide to know where and how to obey Jesus’ command to go where the Spirit points us to deliver God’s grace to a world in great need.      Scripture became the disciples’ way of life. Scripture is the reason their doubt became boldness. Scripture is the reason they could heal and resurrect physical lives. Scripture is the reason they could preach, “Repent, call on the name of Jesus and be saved.” Scripture changed them, so they would use Scripture to change the world.
   Whatever you’re seeking from God, begin with knowing Scripture. The Living Word will show you how to faithfully follow Jesus.

Mark 16:9-13 When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it. 12 Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. 13 These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.
 
MARY Magdalene was the first resurrection witness. She went directly to Jesus’ chosen 11 disciples to tell the good news. But they did not believe it. Perhaps they did not believe because it was the culture’s custom to nullify a woman’s testimony. But later two of them saw Jesus as they were walking in the country. (This is recorded as the “Road to Emmaus” in Luke 24:13-32) The disciples did not believe their testimony, either. These unbelieving men had watched Jesus raise Lazarus from four days in a tomb (John 11). Three times they had heard his prophetic words, “After three days he will rise.” What kept them from the truth?
   It’s difficult to understand. The men had been so close to Jesus. They had confessed him to be the “the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” (Matthew 16:16) The Living God had created life. They knew this in their heads. But it seems they could not transfer it to their hearts for a personal knowledge of Jesus’ salvation.
   Also in their unbelief, they had not gone to Galilee to meet Jesus as the angel commanded them through Mary. They did not understand Jesus as Son of Man and Son of God had come to establish God’s eternal kingdom. Their minds still remained set on a new king on Jerusalem’s throne. The men needed more than human testimony to believe in the risen Christ.
 
Mark 16:14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
 
Jesus went to the Eleven to move them into their mission. Jesus rebuked their unbelief of his prophecy. He denounced their doubt in Mary’s words and the Emmaus witnesses. You could say they denied Jesus three times as they rejected the Good News.
   How unbelieving we can be when God calls us to faith. Jesus had appointed them to begin his church. Jesus would be returning to heaven soon. How would these unbelieving men become true, powerful and fearless apostles of the gospel? We’ll see the answer in Mark’s final words.
 
 
    
   

Mark 16:5-8 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, 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, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” 8 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. 
 
THE stone is rolled away! That’s what the women wanted! But Jesus is gone! What’s more this man said, “He is risen!”
   Why are the women trembling and afraid? The angel’s words were triumphant. Jesus had overcome death! There was no dead body to anoint, only good news to hear and tell.
   Instead of powerful and life-changing, the announcement first disturbed everything the women knew. In response to the angel’s instructions, they fled from the tomb. Perhaps they were afraid some new plot was underway to harm them.
   But the young man they had never seen before had been very specific. “But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”  Luke then tells us the women began to understand: Luke 24:6 “Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” Then they remembered his words.
   Now the women began to believe the most magnificent truth of all. The women and the disciples had not understood or believed Jesus then. But now the truth of the risen Christ is opening their minds. Amazed in this new truth in their lives, the women continued on their mission to announce, “He is risen!”
   Maybe they also remembered Jesus’ promise, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26) Jesus spoke this to assure his disciples that God has the power to completely change lives. We love to quote this when we encounter something difficult. Do we believe it?
   How can we not believe? The heavens and the earth are impossible without God. Your existence is impossible. Anything you’ve done is impossible because God is the author and perfector of life. Indeed, with God, the void becomes full, the sinner becomes saved and the dead come to life.
   Each time we think or say, “With God all things are possible.” our minds should first remember, “He is risen!” 

Mark 16:1-4 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.
 
THE devoted women wanted to anoint Jesus’ body with perfume. This is similar to taking flowers to a funeral or grave. Or you may have some other custom to honor the dead. To honor one’s life helps us accept his death.
   But this was not a simple matter for the women. They knew a large stone covered the tomb. Roman guards guarded the tomb to keep Jesus’ followers away. And it would be most unpleasant to enter the grave of a man three days dead. These obstacles did not stop them, though. The women remained faithful in spite of their unanswered question, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”
   We can waste much energy and time with unanswered questions. When we understand God is directing us to respond to a particular need, it’s natural to ask our own version of, “How do we roll away the obstacles?” Our tendency can be to do nothing because we’re afraid the barriers may be too big. For example you may want to help in a local shelter that cares for women and children. But you wonder, “Am I qualified?” “Will they like me?” “What if I make a mistake?” “Does it do any good for just one more person to help them?” You may even ask, “If I like this, how will my life change?” Fear of the answers can keep us at home.
   It seems Jesus’ devoted followers didn’t ask the question in fear. They asked in faith. The women trusted someone would be there to help them roll the stone away. Their task would be done, and, they could properly lay Jesus’ body to rest.
   God wants you to know the questions and the fears will grow smaller when you focus on the Lord. He is calling you to help reveal his goodness to lost and wounded people. Moses, Elijah, Nehemiah and others learned this life-giving lesson. Soon the missing disciples would learn it, too. God wants you to step forward, trusting he is the Good Shepherd leading you to serve his kingdom. Go with God, and he will answer your questions. You will see God’s power increase your joy and love for Jesus. That is what is about to happen for these devoted women.  

Mark 15:40-47 Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there. 42 It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. 45 When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.
 
ARE you devoted to Jesus? The women and Jospeh of Arimathea are good examples for us. The women had walked with Jesus from the days of his early ministry in Galilee. Jesus had healed Mary Magdalene from seven evil spirits. Salome was James’ and John’s mother. The other Mary was mother of one disciple, James the younger. His brother Joses was likely known in the early church. John recorded others, including Jesus’ mother at the cross.
   These devoted women did not turn from Jesus at that awful moment. It’s impossible to imagine their grief as they witnessed their beloved rabbi die. How was it possible this man of deep wisdom, life-changing miracles and extraordinary love could be suffering so terribly?
   For three years they had cared for his needs. That means they used their money to buy food and supply shelter for the Son of God and the disciples. They washed clothes. They set up camp and took it down, cooked the food and worked with diligent devotion as godly women do.
   They cared for Jesus and stayed with him even to the tomb. They watched where Joseph put Jesus because they knew they had to care for him once more to properly attend to his body after the Sabbath.
   Joeph was a member of the Sanhedrin, the group who had condemned Jesus. But he was different. John 19:38b Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. Yes, Joseph, as the 11 disciples, feared the Jews. He had just seen what the Sanhedrin did to Jesus. Yet he showed his devotion to Jesus. The body of a crucified man was often left to the animals. But Joseph gave him a rich man’s tomb. Isaiah 53:9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.
   Devotion is commitment. These people have given us a living legacy of active commitment to Jesus. “Commit your life to Jesus.” is not a slogan. It is the disciple’s life.     
 

John 19:30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
 
Mark 15:38-39 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”
 
GOD commanded the Jews’ to build a first temple in the Exodus desert. The Tent of Meeting was a moveable structure made of curtains and acacia poles. God instructed that within the tent there would be two inner sanctuaries called The Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. In the Most Holy Place was the ark of  the covenant. On top of the ark was the Mercy Seat, where God would dwell. A curtain divided God’s holy presence from the congregation: Exodus 26:33 The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. To enter the Most Holy Place – also called the Holy of Holies – a chosen priest had to complete a series of repentance and purification rites on the annual Day of Atonement. Representing all of Israel, the priest would enter and offer specific sacrifices and prayers for the repentance and forgiveness of Israel’s sins. Anyone who casually entered into the Most Holy Place would die. God’s holiness commands a worshipful approach to his throne.
   When Jesus cried out, “It is finished!” he announced this old covenant of sacrifice is complete. God then tore the curtain of separation from the top down. The Son of God is the final sacrifice. The Lamb of God has removed your sins when you confess him, “My Lord and Savior.” Through his atoning death Jesus became the High Priest who continually prays for you before the Father. God has torn the curtain and opened the way for your loving, accessible relationship with him. In faith, you can rejoice, “Jesus is my personal Lord and Savior.”
   Please understand this is a very personal confession of a redeeming relationship with the Triune God. Your confession tells the world you have a loving, fruitful relationship with God. You want people to know you enjoy the benefits of the Spirit to help you know the Son and Father.
   When Jesus is your personal Lord, you know you are continually in God’s presence. You believe he is always with you through your faithful prayers of confession, intercession and supplication. Your ongoing obedience honors God’s will. A personal relationship with Jesus is the privilege to call the Holy God, “My Father in heaven.”
   Long ago the Holy God commanded the Jews to come to him in reverent submission. He has not changed. Keep in mind it is in God’s tender mercies we can call Jesus, “Brother.” and we can call God, “Father.” Always approach him with gratitude he has finished the work he came to do.
 

Mark 15:35-37 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.” 36 One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said. 37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
 
AS Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34) there was no sympathy from those around him.  John tells us it was a Roman soldier who gave him the vinegar and mocked Jesus and the Jews once more with, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down.”
   Referring to Elijah, the soldier ridiculed the Jews’ Passover tradition that set a plate for Elijah at the Passover meal. They awaited his return to Israel in God’s judgment power. Why did they believe that?
   About 850 BC, Elijah had left the world in God’s fiery whirlwind: 2 Kings 2:11 As Elijah and Elisha were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 12 Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Surely God could return Elijah in the same way to rescue the Jews from their trouble.
   There is also the specific prophecy from Malachi 4:5 “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes.”  Then Jesus said in support of Malachi’s prophecy: Matthew 17:11 “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things.” We can easily understand why Israel expected Elijah’s return.
   That’s also why they wondered if John the Baptist might be Elijah. But as John began his ministry, they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” (John 1:21) According to Scripture, we still await Elijah’s return. Perhaps he is one of two witnesses in Revelation 11.
   This was not the day for God to rescue the Son. The Father kept Jesus on the cross because he had in mind his world-changing rescue plan. It was Jesus’ time to die, so he could rise and give life to all who believe. Out of Jesus’ great thirst and ravaging death comes the promise of eternal joy.  
   John 4:13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
   We thank God he didn’t rescue Jesus that day. Jesus thirsted and died to rescue us.  

Mark 15:33-34 At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”-which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
 
JESUS’ cry from the cross rings tragically through the ages. “Why, my Jehovah, the One who is Eternal, Deliverer, why have you abandoned me, your Son?” Alone in agony on the cross, the Son of Man cries out. He wants an answer we often need to know. “Why have you abandoned me, God? Have you left me to die? Have you allowed my enemies to triumph? Why, God, have you not saved me from this distress? You promised you would always be my God. Why am I all alone?”
   Sometimes the answer comes. God will comfort your distress through a word from his Scripture, a prayer from a friend or other means of grace he uses to care for you. Sometimes there is no answer. The question lingers until the day God brings you into his eternal care.
   Jesus was quoting from David’s plea in Psalms 22:1  My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? Much of this psalm is a foreshadowing of Jesus’ crucifixion. David, God’s chosen servant, was in great distress. His enemies surrounded him. In a like manner, Jesus, the Son of David, was surrounded with violent people who cried out for his death.
   David learned through his trial that his God had not abandoned him to death. From his spiritual and emotional isolation, David would rise to write many powerful songs of praise and thanksgiving. Even in this psalm, David changed his focus to express a loving worship of his God: Psalms 22:22 I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you. 23 You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! 24 For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.
   The psalm then continues to praise God for his eternal reign Psalm 22:30 Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the LORD. 
   God’s Word is true. He doesn’t’ tell us all is good all the time. He openly reveals to us that even those he has called to special work have experienced times of emotional separation from him. God tells us through these mini biographies that life can overwhelm even the most faithful. The LORD also teaches us he is always present with them. He is a Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6), who knows what to say and do to restore the joy of our salvation.
   Are you asking, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” Jesus knows what you are enduring. He has experienced it in human agony. He also knows the joy of reuniting with the Father. Stay with Jesus, and he’ll lead you home to the Father, too. 

Mark 15:29-32 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 come down from the cross and save yourself!” 31 In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! 32 Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
 
THOSE who mocked Jesus as he suffered this humiliating death responded to the evidence before them. John records that on his first visit to Jerusalem, Jesus had cleansed the temple. Then the Pharisees asked, “What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” Jesus reply pointed to the cross and his resurrection: “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” (John 2:18-19­)
   Of course, they did not know Jesus was prophesying his death and resurrection. To them Jesus was a false teacher who spoke extravagant, impossible words to gain a reputation and take control of the temple. Jesus’ ministry revealed his power and authority to do everything he said. Yet, too few believed what he said, and they rejected what he did. That day on Golgotha, the Jews and the mocking crowd believed they had been right. If this man were the Son of God, who possessed power to quickly rebuild the temple, he certainly would not be dying on a cross.  
   As we know, the Son of God would rise to reveal, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)
    This is the crucial question, isn’t it? Before the resurrection, you could say that people had an excuse to disregard his power. But even before the cross, Jesus denounced the unbeliever: John 15:22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates me hates my Father as well.” And Paul wrote all have evidence of God: Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
   Some who mocked Jesus on Golgotha that day would become Christians. The Spirit would change their unknowing hearts to know Jesus’ resurrection power. They would become witnesses of Jesus’ death and resurrection to help the world know God is the builder of everything. (Hebrews 3:4b)
   This is the joy of every Christian life. As the Spirit continues to build us into Jesus’ resurrection power, it’s good to consider: “What does God need to build into my life?” What do you need? He will raise you from grief to comfort, from worry to trust, from fear to confidence, from separation to reconciliation, from casual faith to true worship.  
 

Mark 15:27-30 They crucified two robbers with him, one on his right and one on his left. 29 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 come down from the cross and save yourself!” 
 
AT the Jews’ demands, Pilate had released Barabbas, a known terrorist. Tradition says  these two robbers named, Gestas and Dismas were Barabbas’ co-conspirators. “Robbers” means “revolutionaries”. Barabbas was likely scheduled to be crucified with these two men.
   Luke records a conversation between Jesus and the two. One mocked Jesus and condemned Jesus for not saving him. The other defended Jesus, and he repented of his guilt. Luke 23:41 “We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
   Jesus responded to the repentant robber: Luke 23:43 Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
   Now think about this. God had acted to save this man on this day, didn’t he? If Pilate had released Jesus instead of Barabbas, this robber would not have met Jesus. He would have had no desire to repent of his sins. He certainly would have entered into Hell, crucified as a sinner. Instead, this robber became the first human saved into heaven through Jesus’ atoning death.
   When we read that Pilate released Barabbas, the killer, and crucified Jesus, the Savior, we are likely grieved for Jesus’ suffering under this man’s weakness. “You released the wrong man, Pilate!”
   But we know God was working this day that the Son of Man would be pierced. And the robber would be saved. God’s love is exceedingly gracious to welcome even sinners into his kingdom when they repent and confess Jesus is Lord, King of the Kingdom of Heaven.
   Jesus loved the man; the world hated Jesus. Those who passed by hurled insults at him. “Come down from the cross and save yourself!”  This is the world, isn’t it? On one corner of a street is a church that faithfully rejoices in Jesus, the Savior. On another corner is an organization devoted to canceling Jesus from the culture. It’s difficult to understand why people hated Jesus so deeply that day and why they do now. What is his crime?
     Our sin nature is a need to justify ourselves. Temptation will sometimes stir our hearts to reject God’s Word because we want to be right. A casual faith may mock the Bible, dismissing God’s Word as irrelevant for our needs. We must be careful of such thoughts. Surrender them to the Lord. Honor the One who went to the cross to forgive all who repent and in faith call him “Lord Jesus”.