Mark 16:9-20 | What Now?

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.

John 20:11–18 ESV

11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.

Luke 24:11 “11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.”

Three times Jesus tells his disciples that he was to be rejected, suffer, and die but then be resurrected?

Mark 8:31 “31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.”

Mark 9:31–32 “31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.”

Mark 10:33–34 “33 saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. 34 And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.””

Yet they were steeped in the sorrow of a despondent heart? why is that?

This was not their plan

They had heard but not listened to Christ’s word

They did not believe God’s power !!

How many times Has God told you that He is faithful, that you are His, that all will be well?

Deuteronomy 31:6 “6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.””

John 14:18 “18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”

Matthew 28:20 “20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

Revelation 7:17 “17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.””

Revelation 21:4 “4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.””

This may not be your plan

The Surender of a Defensive Heart

Mark 16:12-14; Luke 24:13-31

Mark 16:12–14 ESV

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.

Luke 24:13–31 = Road to Emmaus

Luke 24:13–31 ESV

13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.

John 20:24–29 = Thomas

John 20:29 “29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.””

Jesus Comes

Luke 24:15 “15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.”

John 20:26 “26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.””

Ephesians 2:4 “4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,”

Jesus Captivates

Luke 24:25–26 “25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?””

John 20:27 “27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side… Do not disbelieve, but believe.””

1 John 4:19 “19 We love because he first loved us.”

Jesus Convicts

Luke 24:27 “27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”

John 20:27 “27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side… Do not disbelieve, but believe.””

Jesus Converts

Luke 24:30–32 “30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?””

John 20:28 “28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!””

John 6:39 “39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.”

John 17:12 “12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”

Scripture

Spirit

The Service of a Determined Heart

Mark 16:14-15,19-20

Mark 16:14–15 ESV

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.

Mark 16:19–20 ESV

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.

GROUP QUESTIONS

1. How did Mary Magdalene's sorrow transform upon encountering the risen Christ in John 20:11-18?

2. What can we learn from the disciples' initial disbelief in Mark 16:9-11, and how does it reflect our own struggles with doubt?

3. In Luke 24:13-31, how did Jesus' approach to the disciples on the road to Emmaus address their defensiveness and doubts?

4. What does it mean for Jesus to captivate our hearts, and how did this happen in Mark 16:12-14?

5. How can personal conviction lead to transformation, as seen in the response of the disciples?

6. Discuss a time when a personal encounter with Jesus changed your perspective or beliefs.

7. How did the disciples' encounter with Jesus in Mark 16:14-15 motivate them to serve and spread the gospel?

8. What role does determination play in our service to others, and how can we cultivate it in our daily lives?

9. In what ways does the ascension of Jesus in Mark 16:19-20 inspire us to continue His mission today?

10. How can our group support each other in moving from a place of doubt or sorrow to one of determined service?

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