HE HAS RISEN

Mark 16:1-20

Key Verse: 16:6

"'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.'"

Jesus was crucified in our place. He even endured the pain of being forsaken by his own Father in order to save us from our sins. He was buried in the tomb. Chapter 16 is the culmination of Mark’s gospel because the angel declared, “He has risen.” Jesus defeated the power of death. Then the Risen Christ appeared first to Mary Magdalene. Then he appeared to two junior disciples and finally to the Eleven. Jesus rebuked them for their lack of faith and gave them his world mission command. May the Lord bless us to have resurrection faith through this message. I pray that God may bless us to overcome our unbelief and accept Jesus’ world mission command to preach the good news to all creation.

PART I. HE HAS RISEN (1-8)

Look at verses 1 and 2. "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. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb" These women had been crying for three days. They could not do anything, so they just cried. When Jesus was on the Cross, they could only watch and cry. What else could they do? Now, they were going to anoint Jesus body at the first opportunity. As soon as the dawn light stretched over the city, these were women set out. They were heading to the tomb to show their last respect to Jesus. It is so sad that the only thing they could do for Jesus was to anoint his dead body. Actually, Joseph of Arimathea had already anointed Jesus, so they didn’t have to go. But they went anyway, because of their love. What was the source their dedication to Jesus? It was Jesus’ love and grace that had changed their lives forever.

These women have received much love from Jesus. No man understood them but Jesus understood their unquenchable thirst and fed them with the word of life endlessly. They were happy to be around Jesus. Human love is like a coke that just makes us more thirsty, but Jesus’ love is like a fountain that quenches our thirsty souls. Especially, they received the grace of forgiveness from Jesus. And they loved Jesus also. They thought they could serve Jesus forever. But something unexpected had happened. Jesus died on the cross. It should have never happened to him. But it did. Such a good man, Jesus, was crucified on the cross in between two criminals. Their precious, loving friend and Lord, Jesus, died a most tragic and terrible death on the cross. His death was not his own death; when he died, nails were driven into their hearts and they also experienced the agony of death along with Jesus. The wound in their hearts was as deep as their love for Jesus. Tears were dropping from their eyes like a mighty river saying, “Oh precious Jesus, how can we live without you? Please come back to life.” Suppose there is no love in the world. The world would not be beautiful at all. It would become a dry desert without any oasis. Everybody knows that a woman's love is a beautiful thing. The love of these women was even more beautiful. Jesus died on the cross. But their love did not die. They loved Jesus and longed for him all the more. They thought to themselves, "What can we do for Jesus now?" They brought expensive oils and spices. They could not sleep. In deep sorrow and pain they waited until the Sabbath day passed, until the early dawn of the first day of the week. They came to the tomb of Jesus after the sun rose in order to anoint his body. Someone might be fearful to go to the tomb in that early morning. But they overcame fear. How? 1 John 4: 18 says, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear..." When we love Jesus, there is no fear. When we love someone, we would like to give everything to him or her. We still want to give more. There is no sense of loss when we love someone deeply. That person is Jesus. No matter how much we love Jesus, we feel that it’s not enough. We don’t want to spare anything when we love Jesus. As for women, they did their best out of their love for Jesus. In Jesus’ post resurrection ministry the women began to play vital roles because they received much grace from Jesus. Those who received much grace stay with Jesus to the end. They do not run away because they tasted the grace of Jesus’ forgiveness. They serve Jesus with joy. Acts 1:14 says that many women participated in the pioneering of the Jerusalem church. Nor is our ministry an exception. Many women play vital roles in our ministry. My main prayer topic in the early pioneering days was to respect women coworkers and listen to them with humility. Who is the majority of our YDJ team? Who is the lead singer in our praise local band? Who feeds the most of our sheep? Maybe some man may ask, “What about us?” Of course, you are important because you are the disciples of Jesus. In any case, the resurrection of Jesus opened the door for many women to participate in the redemptive work of Jesus. In the past they were ignored but now they were very important.

The women showed their beautiful love, but love is not always practical. In fact they had forgotten something look at verse 3 says, “and they asked each other, ‘who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?’” There was no man available at that time because they were hiding from the authorities. The stone was very heavy and they were not strong enough to move it by themselves. Then, they looked up and saw that the stone had been rolled back. Now they rushed to the tomb and entered it. They were weak women. But they were strong; they were not afraid of going into the grave to see what had happened. To their surprise, they found that Jesus' body was gone. Rather there was a young man! Look at verse 5. " As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed." He was an angel of God keeping watch over Jesus. The empty tomb shows us the first proof that the resurrection of Jesus is true. At Christ's burial, a stone was rolled over the entrance, sealing the tomb, and a guard was posted, as we learn in Matthew. Yet on the morning of the third day the body had disappeared, and the tomb was empty. There are only two possibilities. Either his body was taken out of the grave by human hands or else by superhuman power. But it is not reasonable for human hands to have carried him away, be they his friends or his foes. If his friends had wished to take out his body, the question at once arises whether they could have done so in the face of the stone, the seal and the guard. His foes could have done it, but why would they want to, having posted a guard to prevent his vanishing. In any event, if they had his body, they would later have presented it to discredit the resurrection account. So the most reasonable explanation is the most incredible: that Christ has risen

What did the angel say to them? Look at verse 6. The young man said to them, "Don't be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him." What a surprise! Jesus was not kept in the power of death; he had risen! We are not sure whether or not the women understood the angel's tidings. Since they were terrified and fled, maybe not. But we find in his tidings good news of great joy for all mankind.

First, God raised him from the dead. Look at verse 6 again. "'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.'" The women went to the tomb to look for Jesus the Nazarene who was crucified. They were looking for an earthly Jesus who was full of grace but who was crucified tragically. If there is no resurrection of Jesus, the story of Jesus looks beautiful but it is sad in the end. These women would have lived the most sorrowful lives thinking about the crucified Jesus. Their relationship with Jesus would be limited to this world. They had followed Jesus and sacrificed their lives for Jesus. They had thought he was the Christ, the Son of God, who is worthy of worship. But can we worship a dead body? A helpless lifeless body that needs the help of these women to be anointed so as to stave off decay for just a little while? Without the resurrection of Christ, and the coming resurrection, there is no Christianity.

How often we look for Jesus the Nazarene whose life was cut short by the hands of the evil men. If we only look for the earthly Jesus, we cannot overcome our human limitations. If Jesus were not raised from the dead, he would have remained just as a good man like several other famous men in history who taught peace and morality, but who had no answer for death, because they could not even save themselves from death. But Jesus is different than anyone else. He has risen indeed. We must meet the risen Jesus to solve our fundamental life problem.

Jesus was not in the tomb because he had risen. The resurrection is vitally important for many reasons: (1) Jesus kept his promise to rise from the dead, so we can believe he will keep all his other promises. (2) The resurrection ensures that the ruler of God’s eternal kingdom will be the living Christ, not just an idea, hope, or dream. (3) Christ’s resurrection gives us the assurance that we also will be resurrected. (4) The power of God that brought Christ’s body back from the dead is available to us to bring our morally and spiritually dead selves back to life so that we can change and grow (1 Cor. 15:12-19). (5) The resurrection provides the substance of the church’s witness to the world. We do not merely tell lessons from the life of a good teacher; we proclaim the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The power of death tried to keep Jesus in the grave. But it was impossible to do so. Jesus won a decisive victory over death in the final battle against Satan. Jesus punched a final blow to the power of death. Peter said in Acts 2:23,24 says, "This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." Through his resurrection God destroyed the last enemy of mankind, death. In the world there is no hope because death swallows up whatever man can possess, even man's own life. So there is no true hope in the world. But through Jesus' death and resurrection God gave us a living hope. 1 Peter 1:3,4 says, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you." Through his resurrection, God's paradise is restored and all who believe in him are able to go back to his kingdom.

Second, the Risen Jesus commanded the women to deliver the message of good news to the disciples. Look at verse 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.'" Jesus kept his promise of reunion with his disciples at Galilee. Galilee became his unforgettable place where he made eternal friendship with his disciples. Oh, Galilee! You are so beautiful and shining forever. The angel mentioned Peter's name in his message, "Tell Peter." Why Peter? He failed miserably when Jesus was tried and died. Jesus wanted to restore him to become a man of influence again. He would become the pillar of faith later. This good news of his resurrection was not instant; it had been promised and fulfilled. This news doesn't seem to be so surprising. However, it is the news of a new beginning of a new world since Adam's Fall. This is the only living hope for all mankind. This news had to be delivered first to the disciples, and next to the whole world.

PART II. PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE WHOLE WORLD (9-18)

In this part we learn about the faithless disciples, and about Jesus who had faith in his disciples. Jesus commanded his frightened disciples to evangelize the whole world. What a thunderous command of Jesus!

First, the resurrection witnesses. (9-14) The women who had heard the angel's voice were stunned. So, trembling and bewildered, they went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. (8) Obedience is very important. They were carried away by their emotions. They were trembling and bewildered, afraid. But they did not do what they were told to do. They did not go and tell the good news. They fled. It was news that should bring joy, but it brought them fear. They were not afraid of a dead body, but they were afraid of an angel, because he is supernatural. But they never should have allowed their emotions to prevent obedience. They were commanded to go and tell the good news of the resurrection, but fear prevented them. Have you ever felt like these women, when you went fishing. We have good news to share with the perishing, but what we really want to do is run away. But consider the result of their disobedience. John 20:2 tells us that Mary Magdelene was different; she did go and tell Peter. And so she received a very special honor, and the hiding women did not. Look at verse 9. “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.”

We are reminded here of Mary’s past. Before meeting Jesus, Mary was tormented by seven demons. She used to be a wild woman and could have broken many boys’ hearts. Jesus drove out seven demons and she regained her beautiful image of God. She then devoted herself to serving Jesus (Lk8:2-3). Now Jesus appeared to her first and blessed her devotion and persistent love. She, a woman, was the first that saw him after his resurrection. What is the message we get here? The closer we draw near to Jesus, the sooner we expect to see him. How did Jesus’ disciples respond each time someone told them that Jesus had risen from the dead? When Mary went to them to deliver the message of good news, they were weeping and mourning. When they heard the good news, they did not believe it. (11) Why? Maybe they thought that Mary became out of her mind due to the shock of Jesus' death. They said, "Mary, calm down. You cried too much." Afterward, Jesus appeared in a different form to two of junior disciples while they were walking in the country downcast. According to Luke 24, apparently these two disciples were the ones who were running for their lives to Emmaus after his crucifixion. They were in deep despair and sorrow due to Jesus’ tragic death. The Risen Christ met them and taught them the Bible until their hearts were moved and their spiritual eyes opened to see the Risen Christ. They turned around their direction from 95 North to 95 South and came to the other disciples and told them what they had seen and heard, with great conviction. They said, "Jesus has risen. We had 1:2 Bible study with him." But the disciples did not believe them either. They said, "Hey, you juniors! Be quiet. You have to grow more."

Finally, Jesus appeared to the Eleven. Look at verse 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.” When Jesus appeared to the Eleven, he rebuked them for their lack of faith and stubborn refusal to believe. Because of their unbelief, the disciples could not welcome the Risen Christ, even though he was raised from the dead on the third day and came to see them according to his promise. Still, they were hungry, so they were eating something. Jesus didn't wait until they finished eating. He rebuked them while they were eating. Jesus rebuked them so that they would turn their eyes to the Risen Christ.

Are we any different than the Eleven? How often we refuse to believe the power of God and only despair in our situation? When I studied the book of Numbers, I was surprised that the Israel people did not trust in God though he showed many miracles and provided everything for them to enter the Promised Land. But they were stubborn in their refusal. They all perished in the desert due to their unbelief, except Joshua and Caleb. It took 40 years for the next generation to enter the Promised Land. It is important to believe in Jesus’ resurrection through the resurrection witnesses. Maybe the resurrection of Jesus was hidden to them and only God could open their eyes to see the Risen Christ. Later, the Eleven, who had been stubborn to believe the resurrection witnesses will, themselves become resurrection witnesses. I also was once stubborn to believe, but have become a resurrection witness. We will now see that all are called to be resurrection witnesses.

Which is the Second point: “go into all the world”. What instructions did Jesus give to his disciples? Look at verse 15. "He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.'" At that time the disciples were together, with the doors locked for the fear of the Jews. They did not want to go out to the street of Jerusalem. But Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world.” Jesus gave them the world mission command, in spite of their present spiritual condition. Jesus did not depend on their weak human condition but saw his disciples in the eyes of God. The resurrected Jesus saw them future gospel workers in all nations. As Jesus conquered the power of death, he commissioned his disciples as his spiritual generals to conquer the world.

And Jesus said, "Preach the good news to all creation." The whole creation was waiting to be liberated by the resurrected Jesus. (Romans 8:22) Jesus envisioned a great world salvation through his disciples. Jesus not only believed that they would go out, but also that they would preach the good news to all creation. Jesus believed that they would change world history. Jesus believed that they would become future missionaries and house church directors. Jesus knew that his disciples were weak. But he also believed that God would give them the power of the Holy Spirit. And he believed that God would use them as fathers of faith for all people. He believed that through these men God would give his gospel to people in every nation struggling under the influence of evil spirits. It is possible for us to have world mission vision when we have the Risen Christ. When man does not have a vision, he becomes petty and trivial and useless. But when one meets the Risen Jesus, he or she can have a vision of God. Missionary Wynelle Nett used to be a shy country girl. She never thought about going out of her town. Jesus' resurrection changed her life completely. She was changed from a dreamy hometown girl to the first American missionary sent to Europe by UBF. All the world became her field to share the good news of Jesus' resurrection.

Jesus also believed that the gospel was absolute and unconditional. Read verse 16. "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." Verse 16 contrasts the extremes of salvation and condemnation. Those who believe in Jesus will be saved. Their sins are forgiven. They become heirs of God with Christ. On Dr. John Conder’s tomb in Bunhill Fields, London, is this inscription in two lines: “I HAVE SINNED—I HAVE TRUSTED—I HAVE REPENTED—I HAVE LOVED—I REST. “I SHALL RISE—AND THROUGH THE GRACE OF CHRIST, HOWEVER UNWORTHY—I SHALL REIGN.” But those who don't believe in Jesus will be condemned. Buddha or Mohammed cannot save us from condemnation. Only Jesus can save us from our sins because he has risen. The only way to be saved from eternal punishment is to believe the gospel. The Risen Christ said, "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." The gospel is absolute that gives life, without it there is only death. We do not like to think about hell. People on campus do not like to hear about hell either. But unless we deeply understand the fate of the non-Christian, we cannot go into all the world to save them. When you ask a student sitting on a bench if they would like to study the Bible, they often say, “I’m OK”. And they don’t want to be bothered. Then we think, “Why am I bothering them? Maybe I should retire.” But we are not bothering them. We are offering them the only way of salvation. We cannot retire, not only because of God’s command, but because of our concern for the perishing.

The disciples were so weak that they couldn't even solve their own problems. But look at verses 17, 18. The Lord promised to give power to gospel workers. He gives power to cast out demons. He promises to give power to speak in tongues. When we really receive the world mission command in our hearts, our language problem is not a hindrance to our ministry. "They will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." These words promise healing power to gospel workers. And God promises that he will take care of his servants. Even though they pick up snakes or drink poison, they will not be harmed. Though S. Anthony Ahmed speaks in Nigerian English, he feeds five sheep. M. Sarah Yun speaks Konglish, but Jesus enabled her to teach many American students. As you know, I was the most unlikely person to become a missionary. But the Risen Christ changed me and sent me to preach the good news.

PART III. JESUS SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD (19,20)

After Jesus finished speaking to his disciples, he ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. Jesus did many good works while he was in the world. He bore the sins of the world in his own body and shed his blood and died on the cross. God, by his almighty power, raised him from the dead. The Risen Jesus gave the world mission command to his disciples. Then he ascended into heaven and sits at God's right hand.

What happened to the disciples when Jesus ascended into heaven? Look at verse 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." When the disciples did not have faith in the Risen Christ, they were only fearful and useless. But when they had faith in the resurrection of Christ, they became powerful servants of God and their gospel work was powerfully carried out. I pray that God may use us as his resurrection witnesses to the ends of the earth. Let's read the key verse 6.