"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." Psalms 119:18 (KJV)
Daily Devotion in Mark 16
Daily Nugget:
Although Mark gives fewer details about Jesus’ death than the other Gospel books (Matthew, Luke, and John), Mark 16:6 mentions one reason Jesus differs from any other man. The difference is “… he is risen.”
When any other man, woman, or child dies, they all have one thing in common; they remain that way. No matter how good or bad, rich or poor, simple or smart, their body will one day cease functioning. People can love and miss the person, mourn, or cry over the loss of a loved one, but when the life has gone out of the body, nothing can change its dead condition.
When Jesus died, something happened that could not happen to anyone else on Earth. When He died, after three days and three nights, He rose again! Death could not get the victory over God’s Son, proving He was whom He claimed to be.
This chapter tells us that Jesus rose from the dead and did other things before ascending to Heaven. These included:
- He appeared to Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9).
- He appeared to two others in a different bodily form (Mark 16:12).
- He appeared unto 11 of the disciples (Mark 16:14).
Although there are many “religions” in this world, none can prove they are of God the way Jesus proved His ministry was truly of the Almighty. Supernatural intervention by God accomplished the impossible; Jesus arose!
Interesting Note:
Mark 16 is essential, as it teaches many important doctrines. Verse 15 is significant as it presents the Great Commission, where it is commanded to share the Gospel with others.
"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15
Unfortunately, most of the new versions of God's Word change much of this important Scripture, and some even discard it, as:
- The New International Version, one of today's most used versions, only has verses 1-8. Verses 9-19 are footnoted (separated and put at the bottom of the page), indicating that the "early manuscripts and other ancient versions do not have" these verses. The manuscripts they are referring to are known to be unreliable and inaccurate from their beginning and are the basis for all modern perversions. The root texts of the preserved King James are the oldest and most accurate.
- The Revised Standard Version also footnotes Mark 16:9-19, indicating that those verses should not be included.
It is interesting, and I do not believe coincidental, that the majority that use those perverted “bibles” also do not "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel." They may tell others about their false doctrines, but they do not spread the Gospel, which is the Christian's Great Commission!
Today’s Thought:
“Jesus’ tomb is empty, but He is alive and sitting at the right hand of the Father!”
“But this man [Jesus], after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;” Hebrews 10:12
Words to Understand:
Sepulchre: burying chamber
Upbraided: criticize
Today’s Reading:
Mark 16
1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.
3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?
4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.
5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.
8 And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.
9 ¶ Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.
11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.
12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.
13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.
14 ¶ Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 ¶ So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.