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Mark 13-16
The Savior
and Snake Handling
Psalm 119:81-88 Persevering in Persecution
81.KAPH “My soul faints for Your salvation. I hope in Your word.82.My eyes faint/fail for Your word. I say, "When will You comfort me?"83.For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke. I don’t forget Your statutes.84.How many are the days of Your servant? When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me?85.The proud have dug pits for me, contrary to Your law.
86.All of Your commandments are faithful. They persecute me wrongfully. Help me!87.They had almost wiped me from the earth, but I didn’t forsake Your precepts.88.Preserve my life according to Your hesed/loyal covenantal love, so I will obey the statutes of Your mouth."
Observations
119:81-83.Persecuted by the proud, the psalmist puts his hope in God's salvation as revealed in His word, and doesn't fail to trust, even though he is as emotionally dried out as a smoked wineskin (useless).
119:84-85.
Verse 84 uses one of the ten words in Psalm 119 for God's law (judgments – mishpat) but in an unusual sense. The psalmist longs for God to act according to the law in judging the proud persecutors. As any of us would do in a bad situation, he asks how long it will be until God acts. If our faith is in the goodness and sure promises of God, the timetable is irrelevant.
119:86-88.
Faithful commands come from a faithful God. Since the psalmist is faithful to God's precepts, he can expect God to faithfully preserve Him according to the promises inherent in God's hesed. He recognizes that God saves so we can obey.
Application
When persecuted, persevere, by pleading God's promises to Him.
Prayer
God, You've given great and precious promises, so I can trust You in difficult times; keep me focused on them. Thanks. Amen.
Proverbs 28:6-9
6.“Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.7.Whoever keeps the law is a wise son; but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.8.He who increases his wealth by excessive interest gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.9.He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.”Observations
28:6.Another one of those “betters.” Integrity comes from a word that means wholeness or complete. What you see is what I am. Perverse is twisted crooked. What you see is not what you get.
28:7.
Choosing the objective of keeping God's revelation is wise. Parents need to teach this to their kids or expect shame, because kids are a reflection of the parents and their training.
28:8.
Usually the poor pay exorbitant interest because they are poor credit risks. Someone who has pity/compassion on their plight reap blessing at the expense of the exploitive.
28:9.
If someone is not actively seeking God's word, even their prayers are an abomination (used of idol worship, and we know how God feels about that). Those who don't pray according to Truth, pray according to their lusts or Satan's desires. God does not answer the prayers of those who ignore or reject (turn away) His word, except to discipline or destroy them. The only prayer of the perverse that God “hears” is that of repentance. See Resources for Biblical Survey of Prayer, including the prerequisites for gaining a hearing with God.
Application
Listen to what God says if you want Him to listen to what you say.
Prayer
God, thanks for revealing the right way to live and hearing me when I call to You according to Your word. Amen.
Mark 13-16 The Savior and Snake Handling
These final chapters leading up to the death and resurrection of Jesus are very similar to those in Matthew, so feel free to skim them, if you've read the observations in Matthew. You should find some useful insights on watchful prayer, helping the poor, and the Lord's Supper. In chapter 16 we briefly consider snake handling and if baptism is necessary for salvation.
Mark 13 Watch Out Sleepyheads
1.As he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Teacher, see what kind of stones and what kind of buildings!"2.Jesus said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone on another, which will not be thrown down."3.As he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately,4."Tell us, when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are all about to be fulfilled?"5.Jesus, answering, began to tell them, "Be careful that no one leads you astray.6.For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and will lead many astray.7."When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, don’t be troubled. For those must happen, but the end is not yet.8.For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places. There will be famines and troubles. These things are the beginning of birth pains.9.But watch yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils. You will be beaten in synagogues. You will stand before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them.10.The Good News must first be preached to all the nations.11.When they lead you away and deliver you up, don’t be anxious beforehand, or premeditate what you will say, but say whatever will be given you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.12."Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.13.You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end, the same will be saved.14.But when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains,15.and let him who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter in, to take anything out of his house.16.Let him who is in the field not return back to take his cloak.17.But woe to those who are with child and to those who nurse babies in those days!18.Pray that your flight won’t be in the winter.19.For in those days there will be tribulation, such as there has not been the like from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will be.20.Unless the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would have been saved; but for the sake of the chosen ones, whom he picked out, he shortened the days.21.Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ don’t believe it.22.For there will arise false christs and false prophets, and will show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones.23.But you watch. "Behold, I have told you all things beforehand.24.But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light,25.the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.26.Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.27.Then he will send out his angels, and will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the sky.28."Now from the fig tree, learn this parable. When the branch has now become tender, and puts forth its leaves, you know that the summer is near;29.even so you also, when you see these things coming to pass, know that it is near, at the doors.30.Most certainly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things happen.31.Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.32.But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.33.Watch, keep alert, and pray; for you don’t know when the time is.34."It is like a man, traveling to another country, having left his house, and given authority to his servants, and to each one his work, and also commanded the doorkeeper to keep watch.35.Watch therefore, for you don’t know when the lord of the house is coming, whether at evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning;36.lest coming suddenly he might find you sleeping.37.What I tell you, I tell all: Watch."Observation
13:1-37.After His rejection, Jesus departs from the temple and sits on the Mount of Olives where He will one day stand and execute judgment when He returns. (See comments on Mt 24.) Mark gives a little more elaboration on being persecuted, which fits the needs of his audience. They didn't need to fear pain, nor even plan what they needed to say when speaking before rulers and kings; the Holy Spirit would give them the words to speak. This does not apply to speaking before a congregation; otherwise one's hearers will experience pain. Mark also emphasizes the importance of watching, which doesn't mean to look at the sky, but to be on one's guard that one is doing, every day, the Master's will, using His authority (power of the Holy Spirit) to do His work. Sleeping is sometimes a metaphor for death, but here it refers to those insensitive to the will of God (Rm 13:11; Eph 5:14; 1Thess 5:6). We should be alert to anything what will sidetrack us from knowing and doing God's will. A good practice is to start each day determining what God wants us to do and then give God a progress report each evening. If you can't tie each activity to God's purpose for you being on earth, see TOYL Purpose and Objectives on Truthbase.net.
Application
Time for all sleepyheads to wake up, forsake dreamland, and start living as those who will have to give account when their Master returns.
Prayer
God open my eyes to the snares and pitfalls that would prevent me from remaining loyal to You, and give me the wisdom and grace to avoid them. Amen.
Mark 14 Passover Streaker
1.It was now two days before the feast of the Passover and the unleavened bread, and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might seize him by deception, and kill him.2.For they said, "Not during the feast, because there might be a riot of the people."3.While he was at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster jar of ointment of pure nard — very costly. She broke the jar, and poured it over his head.4.But there were some who were indignant among themselves, saying, "Why has this ointment been wasted?5.For this might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and given to the poor." They grumbled against her.6.But Jesus said, "Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for me.7.For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want to, you can do them good; but you will not always have me.8.She has done what she could. She has anointed my body beforehand for the burying.9.Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News may be preached throughout the whole world, that which this woman has done will also be spoken of for a memorial of her."10.Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went away to the chief priests, that he might deliver him to them.11.They, when they heard it, were glad, and promised to give him money. He sought how he might conveniently deliver him.12.On the first day of unleavened bread, when they sacrificed the Passover, his disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go and prepare that you may eat the Passover?"13.He sent two of his disciples, and said to them, "Go into the city, and there you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him,14.and wherever he enters in, tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, "Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"’15.He will himself show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Get ready for us there."16.His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found things as he had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.17.When it was evening he came with the twelve.18.As they sat and were eating, Jesus said, "Most certainly I tell you, one of you will betray me—he who eats with me."19.They began to be sorrowful, and to ask him one by one, "Surely not I?" And another said, "Surely not I?"20.He answered them, "It is one of the twelve, he who dips with me in the dish.21.For the Son of Man goes, even as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born."22.As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had blessed, he broke it, and gave to them, and said, "Take, eat. This is my body."23.He took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave to them. They all drank of it.24.He said to them, "This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many.25.Most certainly I tell you, I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it anew in the Kingdom of God."26.When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.27.Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’28.However, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee."29.But Peter said to him, "Although all will be offended, yet I will not."30.Jesus said to him, "Most certainly I tell you, that you today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times."31.But he spoke all the more, "If I must die with you, I will not deny you." They all said the same thing.32.They came to a place which was named Gethsemane. He said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I pray."33.He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be greatly troubled and distressed.34.He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here, and watch."35.He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him.36.He said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Please remove this cup from me. However, not what I will/desire, but what you will/desire."37.He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn’t you watch one hour?38.Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."39.Again he went away, and prayed, saying the same words.40.Again he returned, and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they didn’t know what to answer him.41.He came the third time, and said to them, "Sleep on now, and take your rest. It is enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.42.Arise, let us be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand."43.Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came—and with him a multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders.44.Now he who betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, "Whomever I will kiss, that is he. Seize him, and lead him away safely."45.When he had come, immediately he came to him, and said, "Rabbi! Rabbi!" and kissed him.46.They laid their hands on him, and seized him.47.But a certain one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.48.Jesus answered them, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me?49.I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you didn’t arrest me. But this is so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled."50.They all left him, and fled.51.A certain young man followed him, having a linen cloth thrown around himself, over his naked body. The young men grabbed him,52.but he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.53.They led Jesus away to the high priest. All the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes came together with him.54.Peter had followed him from a distance, until he came into the court of the high priest. He was sitting with the officers, and warming himself in the light of the fire.55.Now the chief priests and the whole council sought witnesses against Jesus to put him to death, and found none.56.For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony didn’t agree with each other.57.Some stood up, and gave false testimony against him, saying,58."We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.’"59.Even so, their testimony did not agree.60.The high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, "Have you no answer? What is it which these testify against you?"61.But he stayed quiet, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?"62.Jesus said, "I am. You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of the sky."63.The high priest tore his clothes, and said, "What further need have we of witnesses?64.You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?" They all condemned him to be worthy of death.65.Some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to beat him with fists, and to tell him, "Prophesy!" The officers struck him with the palms of their hands.66.As Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the maids of the high priest came,67.and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him, and said, "You were also with the Nazarene, Jesus!"68.But he denied it, saying, "I neither know, nor understand what you are saying." He went out on the porch, and the rooster crowed.69.The maid saw him, and began again to tell those who stood by, "This is one of them."70.But he again denied it. After a little while again those who stood by said to Peter, "You truly are one of them, for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it."71.But he began to curse, and to swear, "I don’t know this man of whom you speak!"72.The rooster crowed the second time. Peter remembered the word, how that Jesus said to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times." When he recalled it to mind, he wept.Observations
14:1-11.The events of the Last Supper closely parallel those in Matthew 26 (please see for comments there), with a few differences noted here. In the account of the expensive anointing oil, Mark records that not only are the poor always around, but that one can do them good whenever one wants. The priority is the Lord, but the opportunity is the poor. Those who make serving the poor the highest good, usually disobey the Lord by not making reproductive disciples. God can easily provide for the physical needs of those who depend upon Him (as the widow at the end of chapter 12). The difficult thing is to make disciples, particularly reproductive ones. This priority is seen in the Apostles decision in Acts 6, and is a discernment that needs to be made particularly by modern disciples, who live in cities where they encounter a daily parade of needs, that could easily consume their existence.
14:12-17.
The wording of Mark's account of the beginning of the Lord's Supper suggests to some that he was an eyewitness to Jesus coming into the room (verse 17), where he was the host. The inclusion of the man wearing just a sheet is unique to Mark. The fact that Mark, who usually gives a condensed version of things, gives a more elaborate account of the rich young ruler has led some to posit that this was Mark himself. This theory does account for all the data better than others. It doesn't make a whole lot of difference in how one lives their life, except as an example of someone who gave up everything to be Christ's disciple. The room might have been that of John Mark's mother (Acts 12:12)
14:18-26.
The betrayal was not a specific Messianic prophecy (cf Psalm 41:9), but did provide a picture of Israel's disloyalty to the God who had demonstrated hesed to them. The Last Supper was a Passover meal, so see the outline Passover and The Lord's Supper for background and significance. Luke 22:19 (quoted by Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:24) tells us that Jesus said it was to be done as a remembrance, not a sacrifice (an interpretation which Hebrews 9:25-28 expressly prohibits). Mark 14:72 uses the same word “remembrance” as a verb for Peter recalling to mind Jesus' prediction of his multiple denials (cf Mark 11:21 for the only other use of the word in the gospels). At the end of the Passover meal (see outline), the hidden half of the middle piece of bread would make a reappearance, it would be broken into pieces and passed around, and in some traditions, a blessing would be pronounced over it: “in memory of the Passover lamb.” It should be obvious that Jesus was not turning the bread into His body any more than He turned the actual cup into His blood when He gave it to them, but rather saying what they represented, as He does after giving them the wine. In the inauguration of the Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 24:3-8) Moses sacrificed an offering and sprinkled people with the blood. What Jesus is doing here is prefiguring the inauguration of the New Covenant, which couldn't go into effect until He died and His blood was shed on the cross. (Any other interpretation makes the meal more important than the cross.) The New Covenant/Testament is like the last will and testament of an individual, which goes into effect when the testator dies. Who, how, and when one benefits from it is specified in the testament. See comments on the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31:31 and Hebrews 8-10.
14:27-72.
See Groaning in the Garden and Matthew 26 for comments on this section; and above (14:12-17) for the possible identity of the streaker. The only notable difference from Matthew is that he records the high priest asking if Jesus was the Son of God, while Mark (and Luke) use Son of the Blessed, an adjective referring exclusively to God in the NT. Matthew alone records the high priest asking the question with an oath, which under the Jewish legal system required an answer.
Application
Would you decide to declare yourself a disciple of Jesus if you knew it would mean certain and painful death? Your answer reveals your value system.
Prayer
Lord, may I be loyal to You every day (and hour), not just when asked if I follow You. Amen.
Mark 15 The King Is Crucified
1.Immediately in the morning the chief priests, with the elders and scribes, and the whole council, held a consultation, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him up to Pilate.2.Pilate asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" He answered, "So you say."3.The chief priests accused him of many things.4.Pilate again asked him, "Have you no answer? See how many things they testify against you!"5.But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate marveled.6.Now at the feast he used to release to them one prisoner, whom they asked of him.7.There was one called Barabbas, bound with those who had made insurrection, men who in the insurrection had committed murder.8.The multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do as he always did for them.9.Pilate answered them, saying, "Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?"10.For he perceived that for envy the chief priests had delivered him up.11.But the chief priests stirred up the multitude, that he should release Barabbas to them instead.12.Pilate again asked them, "What then should I do to him whom you call the King of the Jews?"13.They cried out again, "Crucify him!"14.Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil has he done?" But they cried out exceedingly, "Crucify him!"15.Pilate, wishing to please the multitude, released Barabbas to them, and handed over Jesus, when he had flogged him, to be crucified.16.The soldiers led him away within the court, which is the Praetorium; and they called together the whole cohort.17.They clothed him with purple, and weaving a crown of thorns, they put it on him.18.They began to salute him, "Hail, King of the Jews!"19.They struck his head with a reed, and spat on him, and bowing their knees, did homage to him.20.When they had mocked him, they took the purple off of him, and put his own garments on him. They led him out to crucify him.21.They compelled one passing by, coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to go with them, that he might bear his cross.22.They brought him to the place called Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, "The place of a skull."23.They offered him wine mixed with myrrh to drink, but he didn’t take it.24.Crucifying him, they parted his garments among them, casting lots on them, what each should take.25.It was the third hour, and they crucified him.26.The superscription of his accusation was written over him, "THE KING OF THE JEWS."27.With him they crucified two robbers; one on his right hand, and one on his left.28.The Scripture was fulfilled, which says, "He was numbered with transgressors."29.Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads, and saying, "Ha! You who destroy the temple, and build it in three days,30.save yourself, and come down from the cross!"31.Likewise, also the chief priests mocking among themselves with the scribes said, "He saved others. He can’t save himself.32.Let the Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, that we may see and believe him." Those who were crucified with him insulted him.33.When the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.34.At the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is, being interpreted, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"35.Some of those who stood by, when they heard it, said, "Behold, he is calling Elijah."36.One ran, and filling a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink, saying, "Let him be. Let’s see whether Elijah comes to take him down."37.Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and gave up the spirit.38.The veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom.39.When the centurion, who stood by opposite him, saw that he cried out like this and breathed his last, he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!"40.There were also women watching from afar, among whom were both Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;41.who, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and served him; and many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.42.When evening had now come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath,43.Joseph of Arimathaea, a prominent council member who also himself was looking for the Kingdom of God, came. He boldly went in to Pilate, and asked for Jesus’ body.44.Pilate marveled if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead long.45.When he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.46.He bought a linen cloth, and taking him down, wound him in the linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb which had been cut out of a rock. He rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.47.Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Joses, saw where he was laid.Observations
15:1-47.Mark's account parallels Matthew 27-29 pretty closely (see for comments). I'm reposting an excerpt from there since most people misinterpret Jesus' use of Psalm 22.
“The Father's will was not for Jesus to come down off the cross, but to be raised from it. Psalm 22 makes the same point (if you know the context). It is a psalm of apparent unanswered prayer, but God answers in the end. It is not a psalm of defeat, but if you read to the end, it is one of triumph. Jesus quoted it to bring the mind of His followers to the entire psalm. There were many parallels between David's situation and that of Jesus. The main difference is that God delivered/saved David from death, but Jesus through death. From Psalm 22:21 to the end David praises God for deliverance and descendents. See comments on Psalm 22. For God being able to look upon evil, see comments on Habakkuk 1.”
15:21.
Mark alone mentions the sons of Simon, Alexander and Rufus (cf Rm 16:13 where Rufus is a disciple in Rome).
15:28.
Mark also mentions the fulfillment of Isaiah 53:12, which Matthew doesn't but Luke does.
15:39.
Mark specifies that the centurion's declaration was based upon his observation of Jesus as He died. As an expert in death, the centurion observed Jesus' deliberate yielding of Himself to the Father's will. Mark alone also records Pilate's questioning of the centurion.
John 10:17 "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father."
15:43.
Mark mentions that Joseph of Arimathaea was not only a prominent member of the council but also waiting for the Kingdom of God. An awareness that the King would come to judge and reward righteousness (Isa 40:10) probably gave him the boldness to identify with a crucified rebel. The role of the women is mentioned in the observations in Matthew.
Application
Jesus' death opened the access to God, symbolized by the curtain being torn from the top down. This wasn't something we could do ourselves. Are you using the access Jesus inaugurated with His blood?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for dying for me; I believe You, and You alone are my Savior, and I will follow You as my Lord all my days. Amen.
Mark 16 Stone and Snakes
1.When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint him.2.Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.3.They were saying among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?"4.for it was very big. Looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back.5.Entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were amazed.6.He said to them, "Don’t be amazed. You seek Jesus, the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen. He is not here. Behold, the place where they laid him!7.But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He goes before you into Galilee. There you will see him, as he said to you.’"8.They went out, and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had come on them. They said nothing to anyone; for they were afraid.9.Now when he had risen 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.When they heard that he was alive, and had been seen by her, they disbelieved.12.After these things he was revealed in another form to two of them, as they walked, on their way into the country.13.They went away and told it to the rest. They didn’t believe them, either.14.Afterward he was revealed to the eleven themselves as they sat at the table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they didn’t believe those who had seen him after he had risen.15.He said to them, "Go into all the world, and preach the Good News to the whole creation.
16.He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned.17.These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new languages;18.they will take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will in no way hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."19.So then the Lord, after he had spoken to them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.20.They went out, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen.
Observations
16:1-8.Mark doesn't mention the earthquake, Roman guard and plot of the priests, but does record the women's concern about having access to Jesus. But God had sent an angel to roll away the stone so they could see He was gone, as in risen. The angel reiterated Jesus' message for the disciples to meet him in Galilee, and extended a special invitation to Peter.
16:9-14.
The disciples, whom Jesus had upbraided for their slowness to rearrange their paradigms and believe truth earlier (8:17) refused to believe the reports of the women and the two disciples who had encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus (Lk 24). Jesus eventually appears, rebukes them (cf Lk 24), and then gives a commission to preach the good news to the whole world.
16:16-18.
These verses have caused a couple of controversies. Is baptism necessary for salvation? Ask the thief on the cross. We'll look at this issue in future posts, when the NT talks more about it. The short answer is: it dependents upon which aspect of salvation the authors had in mind. Justification-forgiveness, no; Sanctification-glorification, perhaps. See the Youtubes on 1Peter 3:21 Part 1 for the overview and Part 2 for the baptsim passage. Or Truthbase.net outlines on Baptism if you don't want to wait until Acts and Romans 6.
The authenticating signs have also engendered discussion. During the period of the disiples' remaining time on earth, miracles authenticated their message. See Truthbase.net on the purpose of miracles and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, before you drink some Draino. Paul being bitten by a viper is not the same thing. The verb “take up” is a future active verb which in this context probably means to take up and away, as in remove demonic/satanic influences (somewhat different from casting out demons), since that the application would foster the making of disciples. Pagan snake charmers are usually demonically empowered (appropriately enough). Maybe modern snake handlers should try the Draino :)
16:19-20.
These verses serve as a good summary: Jesus was resurrected to glory, and commissioned His disciples to serve; they obeyed the commission, announcing the good news (which remains to be defined, the entire chapter of 1Cor 15 is a good spot to look if you've been missing the whole Kingdom of God as promised in the OT thing), and the Lord confirmed their message.
Application
Those who've experienced a relationship with the Risen Christ, tell others (snakes and poison optional); the truth is best authenticated by authentic Christianity; remember how well Jesus' miracles worked with the Pharisees?
Prayer
Lord, may my life, and not just my words, draw others into an eternal relationship with You. Amen.
Digging Deeper
God in a nutshell: God purposed that Jesus would die for the sins of His creatures. He uses the sinful inclinations of evil people to bring about His perfect plan and goodness. God accepted the death of Christ as payment for sin, so we can have a relationship with Him, as symbolized by the curtain being torn (but not elaborated upon in Mark's gospel).
Build-a-Jesus: Jesus lived so that Scripture would be fulfilled in His life. He was not a victim, but a perfect living sacrifice. He isn't pleased with people who are slow to rearrange their paradigms and believe truth, but doesn't totally reject them for their hesitancy nor failures.
Us in a nutshell: We might have good intentions, but sometimes our follow through is lacking. God uses the imperfect to accomplish His will (because that's all He's got). Belief and loyalty go hand in hand, but are not the same thing.