Mark 16:1-8

Evidences of Authenticity

These are eyewitness accounts of the empty tomb that they previously saw the body of Jesus being laid into

Real people saw this happen with real eyes and defended and followed it to their death

“Jesus of Nazareth” in v. 6 reminds us that Jesus was a real, historical man -> one who had profound impact on this earth while He was here!

That women are the primary witnesses would have not been fabricated

The emotional state of the women would not have been strongly supported in its day

They were going to anoint a 3 day dead body, had no plan for rolling the stone away, and didn’t tell anyone what they saw

A common response of fear and astonishment is seen in mankind’s reaction to the power of Jesus (disciples on the ship, response of the Gerasenes)

They (and the others that follow) did not expect the resurrection -> a point proven to their shame and the account’s authenticity

The Tomb Was Empty

Certainly the eyewitnesses of the resurrected Christ serve as stronger evidence of the resurrection account, but the empty tomb cannot be overlooked

Most importantly, this gives us a visual indicator of an invisible, Spiritual truth -> death has been defeated

Death is a certainty, and it holds power over us in our natural state (Ps. 90:1-12; endless accounts of death - both expected and unexpected)

Death is separation, and that separation is the punishment of our sins -> your sin will find you out!

Looking into the pit of death itself (the tomb), the did not find Jesus, but victory

Death literally could not hold Christ (Acts 2:22-31)

Because death could not hold Jesus, it also cannot hold those who trust in Him -> it is instead a portal to something far more wonderful (1 Cor. 15:12-26, 35-49)

Death is literally a hollow threat, because Jesus has turned a place of corruption, decay, and death into a place of celebration (1 Cor. 15:50-58)

The resurrection of Jesus is everything to us -> it is even why the church started meeting on Sunday

Be bold in Christ, knowing your labor is not in vain -> or trust in Christ and be saved!