Mark 16:9-11 - The Preservation of Scripture

Mark 16:9-11
[9 Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons. 10 She went and reported to those who had been with Him, while they were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they refused to believe it.]

Message: The Preservation of Scripture

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, according to the young man inside the tomb that the 3 women (Mary Magdalene, Mary, and Silome) heard from. They are to tell the disciples and Peter that Jesus will meet them at Galilee. The 3 women leave, but tell no one in Jerusalem; they have fear. [The words of Mark perhaps have come to a close; and now verses 9-20 are from someone different.]

These verses obviously seem different, perhaps a 4th gospel writer. There are differing opinions of these following verses but generally it is thought that Mark's words were destroyed and these words were then created to close out this writing and parallel the accounts of Matthew and John

Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons. As I have talked about, the fact that Jesus first appears to a woman and that is the record is odd given the fact that a woman's testimony is already not highly thought of during these times. Not any more should be read into Mary Magdalene's life than what we know from scripture. Mark has previously not recorded this casting out of demons. It is recorded in a small way by Luke in 8:2 - and some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out. This casting out occurred for Mary at a young age. She must have been affected by it throughout her life for she continued to follow Jesus later in life. There were 7 demons in her, thus she was completely overrun by these demons as 7 is a number of completeness.

She went with the other women and reported to those who had been with Him (the disciples which is what the young man (angel) had asked them to do, while they were mourning and weeping. So they were mourning and weeping. They had lost their deer Master. Despite the fact that they had somewhat fled and not identified themselves with Him, out of fear of being caught and seized as well, but still they knew their master to be great. They knew Him to be one they adored. For three years they had followed Him and been with Him watching Him do things that they could not do. And now it was over. They were at a loss. They had been corrected many times of their little faith. They had been tasked to do things by Him but they often failed. They failed to see the way He saw things but instead they were short-sighted. Obviously, they had big emotion now. It had been 2 days, but the weeping and mourning was still fresh. Yesterday was probably the events of the Sabbath, but today they were free once again to dwell again on what they are missing now not having Him with them. I guess I think of this mourning and weeping because I sense in myself that same sort of way in which I have at various times in my Jesus following life times of turning away and not admitting that I am with Jesus - and following those times there is remorse; there is discouragement.

When they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they refused to believe it. Despite Jesus repeatedly telling them that his death and resurrection were imminent they still did not believe it was actually going to happen. Yet, he did die as he said he would and yet they still did not believe that He had actually been made alive. Their faith is surely shallow and yet they would all one day die for Him. They were people that obviously had to go through a lot to actually have faith in Him. Many people today live in the same way - they are a hard sell to the Gospel of Grace. And it also that they did not believe because Mary was the one stating it. See, once again, the words of a woman are not reliable. The disciples don't even believe.

Summary - At this moment, all that this present is the witness of a woman and that is not reliable evidence so therefore the disciples do not believe. A young man (angel) has spoken to the women, but the disciples have not seen Jesus and so they do not believe. Yes, they are still sad and mourning over their loss, but they don't believe.

Promise: Despite the communication of truth, people still do not believe. Even disciples who were with Jesus for 3 years and saw firsthand all that he did, still when they are told by a woman that He has risen, they still do not believe. We are people of little faith. I need to have more compassion toward those who do not believe.

Prayer: Lord, you are teaching me right now that I need to have more compassion toward other people that question You and do not have a belief in You. Help me Lord to believe this. I was saddened last night at a Christmas party to witness so many people deceived as they lived their religious life, were friendly, and nice, and yet did not have the complete message and why would they even believe. It was sad to witness and yet I stood there silent. I kept my faith within me and didn't take the time to share to even those that could hear. Lord, help me to have more compassion toward other people. Forgive me of my repeated sin of judging and making myself out to be better than others. Yes, I am thankful You have saved me but remove that pride from my life. I want to be a servant. Make me a servant.