Mark 16:12-13 - Appearances of the Resurrected Lord

Mark 16:12-13
12 After that, He appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking along on their way to the country. 13 They went away and reported it to the others, but they did not believe them either.

Message: Appearances of the Resurrected Lord

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus has risen from the dead. Initially, it is the 3 women that go to the tomb to anoint him further for burial, but upon getting there and wondering how they are going to roll away the stone see that the stone is already rolled away. They go inside and there is a young man -- an angel -- there letting them know that Jesus has risen and He will meet them and the disciples and Peter at Galilee. The women leave, but initially don't tell anyone, though it could be fear they felt for the people of Jerusalem who had just crucified him. Jesus then appears to Mary first and she goes to tell the disciples, but they don't believe her. They are busy mourning the loss of Jesus. Mary, as a woman, is not a credible witness that Jesus has risen.

After speaking to Mary Magdalene directly, Jesus comes upon Jesus appearing to two men walking into the country. After that, He appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking along on their way to the country. They went away and reported it to the others, but they did not believe them either.

This gospel is now recording Jesus' appearance to different people. He appeared to Mary Magdalene but we don't have words spoken and now also Jesus is appearing to two and nothing is recorded of Jesus' words. Here, he appears in a different form, almost like he did not appear to them in the form of Jesus. People were not believing Jesus had been risen again and yet the writer here is not very specific, as Mark has been, about this appearance. It could be that he was just taking on a different identity that was not immediately apparent to these men. This could have been 2 disciples, and although they believed, the audience that they told did not believe. This was odd because these were now men, and thus credible witnesses but it is possible that the disciples that had received the message still did not believe and still was not accepting of this message of Jesus having risen from the dead.

Summary - Jesus is making an appearance to people and while those witnessing his appearance are believing, the individuals the message being passed onto are not believing. But Jesus is risen and is appearing.

Promise: People have to receive insight in order to believe in Jesus, even to this day. Despite the evidence, the message is not immediately believed.

Prayer: Lord, I pray that I would be a person that believes and accepts you. Help me to be compassionate toward people who do not believe the evidence. There is evidence of You but even that evidence is not always believed. Lord, I pray your message would be more central and be repeated to people more and more.