1When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. 2Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"
4But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
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. 7But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into
8Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.
((The most reliable early manuscripts and other ancient witnesses do not have Mark 16:9-20.))
9When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. 10She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. 11When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.
12Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. 13These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.
14Later 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.
15He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."
19After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
http://www.onesolitarylifemovie.com/if/
ReplyDeleteFreedom is a remarkable concept. Freedom from sin; freedom from bondage; freedom from financial struggle; freedom from emotional imprisonment; freedom from the world; freedom from yourself. All of these and any other chain you can imagine yourself in are able to be shattered by simple faith in the life, ministry, teachings, death and especially resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find.
It's difficult for me to imagine my life without Jesus. He's freed me from all of the above and so much more. He is my GOD, my King, my refuge, my Savior and mostly HE is my friend with whom I walk daily through the struggles of this life in constant hope of one day hearing, "well done, good and faithful servant."
There's a ton of scholarly literature on how Mark ends his gospel (at v. 8 or 20 or other options, all represented by some kind of manuscript evidence). Interesting that whether Mark meant to end with v. 8 or not (what the oldest manuscripts point to), it sort of leaves things open ended in terms of the women and disciples. Some say Mark intended that as a way of asking all who read it, 'what would you do?' So do should we do? And what are we actually doing? Jesus is already back in 'Galilee' having gone on ahead of us...
ReplyDeleteIt looks like we'll read Ruth next...mind if I wait 'til Tuesday to start? We'll go slower than we did with Mark, so feel free to dig around a bit with questions, comments on specific verses, words, ideas, etc., though I may first have us read straight through the whole book (only 4 chapters) before we dig a little deeper.
ReplyDeleteIt's difficult to pinpoint a book in the Bible as a favorite anymore. However, I adore the book of Ruth. There are many, many wonderful life lessons in this book. I can't wait.
ReplyDeleteTuesday would be fine . Or next Mon. No rush here .
ReplyDeleteI just need to get a handle on this kinsman redeemer stuff.
Happy Easter to all .
God bless
Doc