The Resurrection

Introduction

Last week we saw what we knew has been coming for weeks, the crucifixion of Jesus. He was condemned to death on a cross, the most brutal form of death that there was at the time and maybe ever. It was on that cross that he paid the price for our sins. He took the punishment that we deserve.

It was that death that accomplished salvation. As we know though he did not stay dead for long. Today we see that third day. In the passage it is Sunday morning and everything is about to change.

let’s read our final verses as we begin tonight.

Mark 16:1–8 ESV

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 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. 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.” 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.

So after the Sabbath which would have been Saturday the group of ladies went out to anoint the Body of Jesus. They needed this final closure. It was very early on this Sunday and they were on their way. While they were on their way they began to think about how they would open the tomb because of the size of the stone. When they got there it was opened and there was a young man inside, an angel. They were alarmed by him but he assured them to not worry. He then specifically tells them that Jesus has risen and is going to Galilee where they will see him. The ladies then fled from the tomb and were afraid.

Mark does not give the most detailed picture of the resurrection but his aim is to inform our faith with this. His audience like many of us knows that Jesus rose from the grave.

Now for the big thing that you are noticing. I am ending Mark on verse 8. The reason for this is just as many if not all of your Bibles say that the earliest manuscripts do not include what follows. We can get into the reasons and everything but the basic answer is at the time of the King James Bible there were far fewer manuscripts to pull from to compose the Bible, these manuscripts are also not very old. Now though we have so many more and so many that are older, these older manuscripts lacked these last verses. These verses are left here with the note because they would be accused of changing the Bible if they took them away. The most likely explanation for the addition is that a scribe felt that information was needed because of the abrupt ending and he pulled things from the other gospels to round it out.

Today we are so blessed because of things like this and the research and archaeology that has taken place. We can be so sure of the words that we hold in our hands and that they are the true words of God. We can also be amazed by the protection that God has had over his word, nothing crazy snuck it’s way in! Just some information that we have seen in places like the other gospels and I believe a bit of Acts.

With this being said tonight I want to look at the importance of the resurrection and then wrap up the entire book of Mark. But first let’s pray.

The Importance of the Resurrection

The resurrection of Christ holds so much importance for our faith. We do not serve a God that is dead but one that is living. We do not serve a God that can be defeated. We serve a God that is so powerful that he can even conquer death itself.

When we think about the resurrection tonight I want to think about two things that make it so significant.

the confirmation of the identity of Christ

The first thing is that it confirms the identity of Jesus. Anyone could say things and die, only one could come back to life. Without the resurrection Jesus is just another man.

Sure he has done many miracles and his teaching is accurate and authoritative but it is the resurrection that fully reveals to us that he is without a doubt God. His death made a way for salvation, his resurrection let us know that it is the one true way. That he is God in human form that has come to bring salvation. He is exactly who he said he was without a doubt we can know this now.

the preeminence of Christ

The second thing is that Jesus is preeminent. We get this from Colossians 1. What preeminence means is that Jesus is above and superior to everything. It says in Colossians 1.15-20

Colossians 1:15–20 ESV

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

The resurrection shows us that this is who Christ is. He is the one that was there bringing about creation, he is the one that holds everything together, he is the one leading the church, he is the first in the resurrection, he is the one that brings salvation through the cross.

This resurrection that Christ goes through is the same resurrection that we will have when he returns. This is the beauty of this, someday we to will rise with Christ and will spend eternity with him in glory. This is only if we put our faith in him.

Conclusion

We have a problem. God made everything perfect and man messed it up with sin. We are all sinners and this separates us from God. God made a way for us to be brought back into right relationship with him though, he sent Jesus to live a perfect life while many despised and rejected him. Jesus died and took the punishment that we deserve for our sins. Then he rose from the grave and conquered sin and death. This made a way for salvation, for forgiveness. All that is required for this salvation is that you put your faith in Jesus and turn away from your sins. It is a simple thing that has eternal implications.

This is the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the gospel that Jesus himself proclaimed.

Conclusion of Mark

As we finish Mark tonight I want to look through the whole book for a moment with you.

In Mark 1 we saw Jesus enter the scene. He was baptized and tempted. He began proclaiming the need to repent and believe. He called the disciples and started healing people including Peters mom.

In Mark 2 there was more healing including the man that they let down through the roof. This is also where conflicts with the Pharisees started.

In Mark 3 Jesus designated the 12 apostles and talks about the unforgivable sin.

In Mark 4 we see some parables like the sower, the lamp, and the seed. Jesus also calms the storm.

In Mark 5 Jesus heals the crazy man with the demon and brings Jairus’s daughter back to life.

In Mark 6 Jesus is rejected at his home and walks on water.

In Mark 7 Jesus condemns traditions and promotes truth.

In Mark 8 Jesus feeds four thousand and Peter says that he is the Christ while Jesus is saying that he is going to die.

In Mark 9 Jesus is transfigured and talks about greatness.

In Mark 10 Jesus teaches, heals, and listens to request.

In Mark 11 Jesus enters Jerusalem like a king.

In Mark 12 Jesus teaches and schools.

In Mark 13 Jesus teaches about the end.

In Mark 14 Jesus is anointed, betrayed, denied, and held on what they call a trial.

In Mark 15 Jesus is killed.

In Mark 16 Jesus is raised to life so that you could have life with him.

This is the gospel of Mark. Jesus is the suffering servant savior that calls you to discipleship and to fellowship with him.