Today I read Mark chapter 16, about the resurrection of Jesus. It goes as follows:
On Saturday evening three women who were close friends of Jesus (Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome) went and bought some special burial spices with the intention of putting them on Jesus’ body.
The next morning (Sunday) they headed for his tomb at sunrise. On the way they were discussing who might be able to roll away the large stone that had been placed in front of the tomb. However, to their surprise, when they arrived they saw that the stone had already been moved!
When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right-hand side. He was an angel. The women were startled, but he told them not to be so surprised. He knew that they were looking for Jesus, and told them that he had been raised from the dead, and was now going ahead of his friends to Galilee, where they would see him, just as he had told them before he died. He told them to go tell Peter and the other disciples.
Outside, Mary Magdalene actually saw Jesus and he spoke to her.
The women, shaken and bewildered, fled quickly from the tomb, too frightened to speak along the way, and reported these things to Peter and the others.
At first the disciples didn’t believe the women, but then he appeared to two of them as they were walking in the countryside. When they realized it was Jesus they rushed back to tell the others, but no one believed them.
Later he appeared to the eleven disciples while they were eating, and rebuked them for their unbelief. He told them to go and spread the Good News to all the world, that anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.
He promised that there would be miraculous signs to confirm believers, such as the casting out of demons in His name, the speaking of tongues (other languages unknown to the speaker), ability to handle poisonous snakes with safety, and to even drink poison without being hurt. They would also be able to heal people of illness by placing their hands on them.
After Jesus was taken up into heaven the disciples went everywhere and preached the gospel. The Lord worked with them, confirming what they said with many miraculous signs.
This was the wonderful beginning of Christianity, which eventually did spread throughout the world. Indeed there still are miracles done in the Name of Jesus! He hears our prayers, we hope and trust in Him, He is our security and strength, and we look forward to going to heaven to be with him when our life on earth draws to a close.
