Unbelieving Disciples - Mark 16:11

After Jesus was crucified and buried, Mark wrote, “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. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept”, and in chapter sixteen and verse eleven of his book, Mark shared how Jesus' disciples, “when they heard that he was alive … believed not”, where we read:

And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.

The verse reads, “And they, when they had heard that he was alive, ...” Mark began with the words, “and they” which refers to “Jesus' disciples”, “when they had heard” which means “at the time and moment Jesus' disciples were given the faculty of hearing, perceived and understood” “that he was alive” or “that Jesus was breathing, full of vigor, fresh and strong”. Mark referred to the reaction of Jesus' disciples when Mary Magdalene told them Jesus was “alive again”.

The verse continues, “... and had been seen of her, believed not.” Mark added the words, “and had been seen of her” which means “and Mary Magdalene saw Jesus after He was dead and resurrected”, “believed not” or “did not trust or accept that Jesus was alive”. Mark shared how Mary Magdalene told Jesus' disciple that she saw Him, but the disciples did not “believe” her report.

When we meditate upon Mark's words in this verse, we notice the skepticism of the disciples of Jesus. Though Mary Magdalene reported that she saw Jesus, His disciples did not trust what she said. Jesus told them He would rise again, but they did not trust His word either. Trust and belief in Jesus is necessary for “salvation” from sins. If people refuse to receive Jesus' word, they will find themselves out of a relationship with Jesus Christ and therefore void of a relationship with God. God wants everyone to see Him for who He really is, and by having a personal relationship with His Son Jesus, they align themselves with God's plan for man to believe.

Next time Mark shared how Jesus, “appeared in another form unto two of them”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".