Day 16: What the Resurrection Means to Me (Mark 15:42-16:20)

Welcome to day 16 of this fabulous journey with you through the book of Mark. What a ride it's been just from chapter 1 all the way through the death, the burial, and today, resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Let's just go with the facts. Jesus is buried in chapter 15. Joseph of Arimathea requests for the body. After ascertaining that Jesus was really dead, Pilate grants the body. Joseph buries the body in the tomb and the women who watch from a distance, they see where the body is so they can come back and give it a proper burial later.

Jesus, early in the morning, right, first day of the week, He rises from the dead. Contrary to anything culturally you would ever dream, He actually appears to women first. The tomb is empty. They meet an angel. He's sitting there and says, Hey, He's not here. He rose just like He said He would. You can meet Him in Galilee. After He appears to Mary Magdalene, she goes and tells others and they don't believe her.

Next, He appears to two people walking to Emmaus. They report it, and people don't believe them. Finally, Jesus appears in person to 11 of the disciples, and actually eats in this resurrection body. Then He draws them all together, and He ascends to the right hand of the Father, and the disciples go everywhere, and they preach the message, and it's confirmed by signs, and wonders, and miracles.

And here we are, a little over 2,000 years later. This Jesus that Mark tells us about, from first-hand knowledge, has changed billions of lives and is still changing them today.

So, let's get a couple thoughts you may not be aware of, one is that the leaders are scrupulous about keeping the law. I mean the irony of ironies, right? We'll break a bunch of laws to kill Jesus but hey, you know the Sabbath is coming in and we know the law, we can't have dead bodies hanging around. And so they request, Can you get these bodies out of here before the Sabbath, begins so they get permission and the only way to do that is you break, their legs.

Because crucifixion, you know, maybe you've done a lot of research, or maybe you haven't. For me, it was a bit new. There certainly was a lot of pain. You would push up, and that nail going in your feet, pull up with your arms, pulling the tendons and all the rest, to get a breath. And it was not enough to make you normally go unconscious, but it was just like the most excruciating, painful experience. So basically, you died of suffocation. And often it would take sometimes 36 to 72 hours before a slave or a criminal would die.

So, you know, these, three people on these three crosses have not been there very long, so what we know is from the Gospel writers, and from history, that they go and they break the two legs because those two are now going to die pretty quickly, and when they get to Jesus, it's only been six hours. I mean, how can He be dead? Well, He can be dead because He chose, Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit, and He was dead. So, if you're a professional executioner you are in really, really big trouble if you say someone's dead and they're really not.

So, the guy takes a spear there's a little sack around the heart and it has fluid and then the heart. And he pokes it with a spear and both water and blood come out and he's now convinced for sure that Jesus is dead.

Well then, you know, we have a sort of a secret disciple and I think he was a little ashamed of himself. He was a prominent member of the Sanhedrin. He was one of those that did not vote. And what he realized was, I need to step up. And we're going to read about him getting the courage to step up and get the body.

When we think of a tomb, sometimes we think of, you know, down in the ground. But this apparent tomb, a lot of them were built into rock. And I had the privilege of going, to Israel a couple times and seeing various kinds of tombs, but what you don't understand is like there's a tomb and it's, in rock, but then there's a groove that they cut out and it's a bit downhill.

So, what happens, you have this huge kind of cylinder, round rock and it takes usually a number of men that are strong and you get it down in there and then it goes into place. And so, getting it out takes a number of very, very strong men to open it up.

And so, that's kind of the dynamics. And some of the interesting things are, it was prophesied in Zechariah 12:10 that they would pierce His side. Now think about that, hundreds of years before this.

Isaiah 53:9 he would be buried with the rich despite being crucified with the wicked. I mean, it's just so interesting to me I think someone counted up to 300 prophecies Jesus fulfilled in His life, His death, and His burial.

And so, that's just some background, and the only other thing, this is a point of irony for me, is the religious leaders were really concerned, you know, they heard enough of His teaching, even though the disciples couldn't get their arms around that He's going to die and rise from the dead, word on the streets was He made these crazy claims.

And so, they go to Pilate, and they say, Hey, we may have a potential problem. This guy, He had a huge following, and He made all these claims that, He's gonna rise from the dead. We need you to give the official seal, right? You know, the seal that you can put on a tomb. If anyone breaks it, it's a capital offense, they get killed.

And we want some guards there. So, the disciples don't believe that He's really gonna rise, even when some women come and tell them. But the, religious leaders don't really believe it, but they're so concerned, they make sure it gets sealed.

And you know, in the sovereignty of God, what makes that so very interesting is this. Is it really authenticates that He was really buried. It really authenticates that a supernatural thing occurred.

We know there was an earthquake. We know that guards, you know, were in shock or kind of fell like they were asleep and they were overwhelmed. And we know that the stone was rolled away. But none of that would have the power if those religious leaders hadn't taken all the time to make sure this is airtight and no one can break it. And so, with that, let's look at the text together.

We'll pick it up in, verse 42. Sunday's coming is the way I look at this. It was preparation day, that is, the day before the Sabbath. So, as evening approached, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the council, who was himself waiting for the Kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.

Pilate was surprised to hear that He was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus was already dead. When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph.

So, Joseph brought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance, probably he and some friends. We actually know that Nicodemus helped him, who was also sort of a, kind of a secret disciple. And Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of Joses, also saw where He was laid.

So, things are winding down. The Sabbath is ready to start. The sun's coming down. When the sun's completely down, you know, the Sabbath starts.

Joseph, in a moment of courage, says this is terrible, he's a very wealthy man, he was looking for the Kingdom, he believed, he realized what's happening, he asked for permission, he has this very, very fine linen, they also would put a napkin over the face. They would take up to, when they were doing, Jews don't get embalmed, and they would take the linen, they'd take aloe and myrrh, and they'd put it on the linen, and they would wrap the body.

And so, they did a, sort of a quick job, and later on, the ladies were going to come, not knowing how much burial was taken care of, they're going to bring spices to honor Jesus. And that's kind of where things end.

When the Sabbath was over, they were just waiting. You know, we need to get there. He needs a proper burial. When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, brought spices so they might anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb. And they asked each other, Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb? It's like, three women, I mean, there's no way. We got a big problem.

But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. Don't be alarmed, he said. You're looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen. He's not here. See the place where they laid Him? But go, tell His disciples and Peter, He's going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you.

Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone because they were afraid.

Is that great? You know, we're living in a day when I hear people attack Christianity and talk about, you know, the teaching of the Bible of male headship or, that a man, you know, called to cherish his wife, to give his life for his wife, to see her as a co-heir.

Women's liberation, was promoted most profoundly by the Son of God. If you were in a court of law during this time, a woman couldn't testify. And yet Jesus decides, the first testimonies that will ever tell about the greatest miracle that has ever happened Jesus rising from the dead, He decides He's going to tell women.

And not just women, one of them happened to be Mary Magdalene. You talk about a checkered past, a difficult past, a painful past, seven demons and all the kind of stuff that went with it. It is as though the writer, directed by the Holy Spirit, just keeps wanting to tell all of us, God isn't who you think He is. God doesn't look at people the way you look at people. God cares for people. Everybody matters. Everyone's important. You all don't care about women? I'm going to give them the privilege of carrying My message. You don't care about children? I'm going to take children, I'm going to put them in My arms and say, Unless you can come to Me like this, you can't even be a part of My Kingdom.

The Kingdom of God is where the King rules. And Jesus came and the Kingdom is here already, but not yet in its fullness. But the Sermon on the Mount and the Book of Mark is a journey where he says, the values that this King has is the opposite of the values in this world. Instead of power, it's servanthood. Instead of getting, getting, getting and acquiring, it's giving. Instead of my way, my way, my way, it's concern for others. Notice what's going on in the lives of others. The way you gain your life is give it away.

He was meek. And the word meek, don't confuse it at all with weak. The Greek word for meek means power under control. That's the model.

Jesus said, you can come to Me. All of you people and all your struggles and all your pain, when you're distressed, when you're downtrodden, when life's not working, when you're overwhelmed, come to Me, all of you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

And then it's the discipleship moment, and this is what this is all about. Take My yoke. It means come under My teaching and walk with Me. Take My yoke and learn from Me. And then it's because of who He is. Because I'm humble and lowly in heart, or the older translation, for I'm meek and lowly in heart. The result, you'll find rest for your souls.

As we talk together on this day, and for many, yesterday was Resurrection Day, it was Easter Sunday, I wonder how many are really experiencing peace. In other words, what's the result of the Resurrection? The forgiveness of your sin. Power over the sin that even as a believer we still have.

And the Scripture says in John, He defeated He destroyed the works of the devil. That's what I want you to get, today. That the resurrection isn't just a great moment - a great celebration. It's a reality that changes everything.

Notice, in verse 9, When Jesus rose early on the first day He appeared to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had driven seven demons. She went and told those who had been with Him, and who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that Jesus was alive, and that she had seen Him, response - they didn't believe.

I wonder how many people went to an Easter service this year, heard the story one more time, have seen lives change, have heard the whisper of the Holy Spirit draw you, and you still don't believe. Well, it seems like that's not all that unusual.

Afterwards, Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them, while they were walking the countryside. These returned and reported to the rest, but they didn't believe either.

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. This is about a mission. He said, Go into all the world and preach the Good News to all creation.

And then this next section of the text, these early translations have this. Some of the other translations don't and so you may see a footnote in your Bible.
Verse 16, Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved. But whoever does not believe will be condemned and these signs will accompany those who believe. In My name, they will drive out demons. They will speak in new tongues. They will pick up snakes with their hands. And they'll drink deadly poison and it will not hurt them at all. They will place their hands on the sick, and they will get well.

After the Lord had spoken to them, He was taken up to heaven, and He sat at the right hand of the Father. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere and the Lord worked with them and confirmed His Word by signs that accompanied it.

And so here we have the resurrection. He meets with them. He tells them, and tells us, go into all the world and preach the Gospel. And although the job is not even close to being done, it is amazing what's happened in the last 2000 years that validate this.

And I would just encourage some of you, don't get stuck on that last section of that passage. The fact of the matter is, is that depending on how you view textual criticism, some people have strong beliefs that this was in the actual original and others don't. What we do know is some people have taken some of these things an and grossly misused them.

Here's what we know from Scripture. Here's what we know from history. When God needs to intervene in a supernatural way, to protect His people, to authenticate His Word, and cause the gospel to go forth, He can do whatever He wants, and He does. God can heal people.

And I would also say that anyone who tests the Lord by grabbing snakes, drinking poison, that is a crazy, unbiblical practice that was never intended by any of these words, whether verses 16 through 20 were in the original text or not.

Here's what I can tell you, in terms of application. I think there's something about the resurrection that some of us think about in a way that is, unfortunately, very unhealthy. We see the resurrection as sins being forgiven, receive Christ. Great! Step one.

But when Paul talks about the resurrection, when he teaches about how to walk and live out your faith, here's what he says, What shall we say then? I'm in Romans 6. Shall we go on sinning so grace may increase?

And some of the opponents were saying, great, we'll sin a lot so we get a lot of grace. And he goes, What shall we say then? Can you go on sinning so grace may increase? And then he's, I mean, the grammar here is, By no means! Notice what he says. Here's the reality that happened. We died to sin. How can we live any longer in it? Or do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus-in other words, when you trusted Christ-were also baptized into His death?

In order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. Later, Paul will tell us that the same power that was in Jesus Christ, raising Him from the dead, that same Spirit now lives in you and me as a follower of Christ.

And so, the resurrection isn't just my sins are forgiven. The resurrection is we have resurrection power to walk in newness of life, to live a pure life, to break addictions, to overcome prejudice, to treat women and children and people from all kinds of background, regardless of where they are and what they've come from, in the way that Jesus did.

Because God doesn't see as man sees. Man looks on the outward appearance, the Lord weighs the heart. This transformation - if any man, if any woman is in Christ - the scripture says, you're a new creation, you're an absolutely new person. The old, like someone going under baptism water, the old passed away, you died with Christ. Paul's theology is, we're united with Christ in faith. And when He died, we died with Him. And when He rose, we rose with Him, that you can live the life.

In your own energy, in your own power, by your own will? - absolutely not. In the power of the Holy Spirit. And the Spirit of God will take the Word of God, as you're in it on a regular basis, in the context of the community of God's people. We need each other. Jesus needed people. We need one another. We need to do life in community. And His calling is to be on mission 24/7 - by our words, our life - to love others. And to preach the gospel with words and with actions.

And Mark is telling us, this is a journey. Oh, strong, powerful Roman culture, if you want to see power, it's Jesus. And the power comes through serving. And the way to life is die to yourself. And this is the love and this is the light that can transform any life of any single person on the face of the earth who would humble themselves, admit their sin, turn from it, receive the gift, and then, with the Spirit of the living Christ living in them, walk as He walked.

That's the Gospel. That's God's agenda. And you get to be a part of it.