Mark 16:1-8

Awakening Hope: Responding to the Resurrection

Bible Passage: Mk 16:1–8

Summary: This passage narrates the discovery of the empty tomb by Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, following the crucifixion of Jesus, and emphasizes the reality of the resurrection and the angel's announcement.

Application: This sermon can help Christians understand how to respond to the reality of Jesus’ resurrection, transforming grief and despair into hope and joy. It addresses the struggles of life after loss, encouraging believers that death does not have the final word, and providing a pathway to share that hope with others.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that responding to Jesus’ resurrection compels us to live with a renewed perspective, filled with hope and the urgency to share the good news with others. It highlights the importance of our own response to the resurrection and how it impacts our faith journey.

How this passage could point to Christ: In this passage, Christ's resurrection is a pivotal moment in biblical history, confirming His identity as the Son of God and fulfilling Old Testament prophecies. It sets the stage for the mission of the church and the assurance of eternal life through Christ.

Big Idea: The resurrection of Jesus transforms our response to life's most challenging moments, providing hope and the call to share that hope with the world.

Recommended Study: As you prepare, consider exploring the historical context of the resurrection within the Gospels using your Logos library. Pay attention to any text-critical issues that could highlight variances in the accounts and the significance of the angel's message. Additionally, delve into the theological implications of resurrection and how it emphasizes the transformative power of faith in responding to loss.

INTRODUCTION

chapter 16 of the book of mark opens up giving us a look into what happened before the disciples witness the resurection. In this passage we will see what our response should be to the resurection, and what we are called to respond in.

1. Mourning Transformed to Expectation - vv. 1-3

Mark 16:1–3 CSB

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they could go and anoint him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they went to the tomb at sunrise. They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance to the tomb for us?”

Sure of his death - vv.1

the fact the women went to buy spices and prepare to anoint him for his death was affirmation that they truly belived he was dead. there was nothing to indicate other wise. Jesus breathed his last breathe and died on the cross he was curcified on.

- vv.2-3

people will say that the disciples lied aboiut him rising, that Jesus faked his death, what was the point of worrying about who will roll away a stone if the man inside the tomb was alive. There was no point in going to the tomb if they hadnt truly belived that Jesus was dead.

not only did they beleive Jesus was dead they had no idea if they would be able to get him to pay their final respects and anoint him.

2. the empty tomb - vv 4-5

Mark 16:4–6 CSB

Looking up, they noticed that the stone—which was very large—had been rolled away. When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side; they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed,” he told them. “You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they put him.

A suprise at the tomb - 4-6

Even if we do not see God at work, this does not mean he is not working. God is often working on our behalf in ways we cannot fathom.

seeing the empty grave would been scary enough. The thought of someone raiding the tomb, stealing the body of Jesus, wouldve been utterly devasting for the women at the tomb.

but the tomb had someone in it, an angel who appeared to be a young man. angels worked as messengers for God.

this was scary for them, an angel was about to have a conversation about a man rising form the dead. this was not an ordianry experience. He tells them to nto be afraid because the greatest moment in all of history has occured jesus is not in the tomb, he has risen fro mthe dead.

A response to the ressurection - vv. 6-8

Mark 16:7–8 CSB

But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there just as he told you.’ ” They went out and ran from the tomb, because trembling and astonishment overwhelmed them. And they said nothing to anyone, since they were afraid. [Some of the earliest conclude with .]

The call to respond - vv.7

the tomb is empty, Jesus is alive, go tell the disicples, go tell Peter.

Mark includes this note not just for fun. Just one chapter ealrier Peter denies Jesus, he Rejectes him in public, he denies any relationhsip he may have with him. but Jesus rose again even despite that, he rose again to prove to peter no matter what we do we can not be sepereted fro mthe loe of God. Even after Peter denies Jesus, the love of God overshadows that as he is mentioend by name, Jesus is alive and wants to Peter to know.

nothing you have done, or ever will do will seperate you form the power of the resurection. Jesus knew your sin when he died and even despite it he offers you forgivness and power of sin and death through his resurection.

The choice to respond - vv.8

hearing this the women waste no time. They sprinted out of that tomb to go share the good news. at response to the ressurection, despite their fear, astonishment, confusion, despite everything they were feeling, they went to proclaim the ressurection.

According to most of the earleist manuscripts this is where Marks gospel ends, it ends with an abrupt call to respond to the resurection of Jesus.

“he does in order to catch his readers at a crucial moment of decision in the lives of these three women divinely chosen to be witnesses to history’s greatest event, and upon whom rests the responsibility to begin the proclamation of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

We are left with a choice. Remain in our sin, in our fear, in our disbeleif, in our confusion, in all of this, we are left with a choice. Respond to the ressurection and knwo that like peter showed us there is nothing that will stop Jesus form getting to us. the other choice reject the empty tomb, and accept what comes with that. Either respond in joy and tell everyone you knwo that jesus is alive, or spend the rest of your life denying that Jesus is alive and is waiting for you.