Mark 16:15

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. After the resurrection, Jesus spent the next forty days teaching His disciples. I am sure they were much more attentive than they had been. All of the teaching took on new meaning. They understood what Jesus was saying about the spiritual world. But it wasn’t enough for them to understand. Jesus wanted them to share this good news with everyone else. But the disciples weren’t quite ready yet. Jesus told them to wait until the Holy Spirit came down at the Day of Pentecost. So fifty days after the resurrection and ten days after Jesus’ ascension to heaven, the disciples were all together praying in the upper room when the Holy Spirit came upon them and empowered them to do the work of evangelism. Just as Jesus had said, they were ready to tell everyone about eternal life! They were ready to fulfill the great commission that Jesus had for them to do! They were ready to do His will! So, how about you? Are you ready to do what Jesus has called you to do?

Mark 16:12-14

Mark 16:12-14 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. Word quickly spread that Jesus was alive. Easter Sunday afternoon, Cleopas and another follower of Jesus traveled to Emmaus, a distance of about 10 miles. Some say that Cleopas traveled with his son, Simeon. Others think that the other follower was actually a woman, Mary, Cleopas’ wife. This Mary is mentioned in the book of Luke as tenderly standing with Jesus’ mother at Calvary as Jesus was crucified. Mary, the wife of Cleopas must have been a faithful friend to Mary, the mother of Jesus. But on this afternoon, Cleopas and the other disciple, whoever it was, walked to Emmaus. They were sad and puzzled, having heard the rumor about Jesus being alive. But they just weren't sure. "Could it be possible?" they thought. And then a fellow traveler joined them and asked them what they were discussing so passionately. They didn't realize it, but the fellow traveler was Jesus Himself! They told Jesus all about the events that had transpired, and Jesus began to explain the Old Testament Scriptures that told of the Messiah's resurrection. And as the day turned into evening, they stopped at an inn to spend the night. And as they sat at supper, still discussing the day's events, Jesus broke the bread and passed it to them. I think it was just then, as they saw the nail print in His hand, that they realized who He was! But, suddenly, Jesus was gone! They were so excited that they jumped up and left immediately, walking through the night back to Jerusalem to share their story with the disciples! He was alive! Jesus was alive! And He is alive today!

Mark 16:9-11

Mark 16:9-11 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. When the two Mary’s and Salome went to the tomb of Jesus early on Easter Sunday morning, they were shocked to see the Roman guards gone, the tomb opened, and the body of Jesus gone. They were further shocked by this glowing young man telling them that Jesus was alive. The young man told them to go and tell the disciples. Mary, the mother of James, and Salome immediately left to find Peter and to tell him. But Mary Magdalene just stood there. She was stunned and her mind was so confused. As she turned around, she saw a figure standing there and assumed that it was one of the gardeners who worked at the cemetery. But when this figure spoke, he said, “Mary.” She knew that voice! She looked up through her tears and saw the loving face of Jesus! He was alive! He was right there! And Jesus said, “Mary, go tell Peter and the other fellows that I will come and see them. Everything is going to be all right. I am alive.” And Mary obeyed. She ran to the grieving disciples with the news. The other two ladies were already there, but Mary added that she had actually seen Jesus! Still, the disciples couldn’t believe the ladies. Jesus was dead. They knew it. He couldn’t be alive! Or could He? It was so hard for the disciples to believe that Jesus was alive. And it is so hard for us to believe that Jesus is alive. We can’t see Him. We can’t hear His voice. But He is alive! He really is alive!