Tag Archives: Jesus

Acts 2:34-41 Pastor Rick’s Study Notes and Small Group Questions

Acts, Pastor Rick's Study Notes, Small Group Study Questions, , , , , , , , ,

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

Acts 2:34-41

(PRT)

vv. 34-35 For David did not rise again into the heavens, but he himself says: “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand at the place of authority and honor, even while I put your enemies under your feet like a footstool.’ v. 36 Therefore, all Israel, you can know with all confidence that God has made this same Jesus whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah. v. 37 And grasping all of this, the crowds were pierced to the heart and called out to Peter and the rest of the Apostles: “Brothers, what do we have to do?” vv. 38-39 Peter then urged them: “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for your sins’ forgiveness, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For this promise is to you, to your children, and to everyone who is far away, as many as our Lord and God will call.” v. 40 And he warned them with many more words and encouraged them: “Choose to be saved from this warped and deceitful generation!” v. 41  Then those who accepted his words were baptized and around 3000 were added to their number that day.

Study Notes:

vv. 34-35 For David did not rise again into the heavens, but he himself says: “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand at the place of authority and honor, even while I put your enemies under your feet like a footstool.’

David didn’t ascend, or rise, into the heavens. In other words, he was buried just like all people.

This refers back to the other Psalm reference and the resurrection. If David, the King most revered, didn’t rise untainted by corruption, who will fulfil this prophecy? Look for the one who rises to the heavens without decay. That would be Jesus.

The main point Peter makes from this verse is that David, though a great King and revered, was not Lord. Rather, the Lord is in the place of authority and honor.

The enemies are those hostile to the Lord’s plans, the adversarial ones in opposition to His will.

He doesn’t take the place of authority and honor after all the hostiles are taken down; He is there now as the Kingdom of God comes in fulness.

During these days, if a conquering king was present, the enemies (or at least the opposing ruler) would kneel and the conqueror would set his foot on the necks of the vanquished. This signified total defeat and allegiance in servitude.

Jesus the King is conquering those at odds with him by His love and grace; and those hostile who never turn are being set in their places. The Kingdom is casting down the works of the enemy.

v. 36 Therefore, all Israel, you can know with all confidence that God has made this same Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Messiah.

Jesus the miracle worker has now sent the Promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit (Joel), He has conquered death (David’s Psalm) and He sits in the place of authority and honor in the heavens (David’s Psalm). Based on this Biblical account from the OT, the knowledge they have of Jesus walking among them, and the present Holy Spirit, it can only mean one thing: Jesus is Lord and Messiah. And the Father has made this so!

The word for all confidence means a certainty. The word for “can know” is one that means with head and heart.

The Greek phrase means to slip or trip. You can know without a slip or trip that God has done this.

He calls on all Jews to know this since they are the recipients of the prophecies, they can know with confidence that Jesus is Lord and Messiah.

Juxtapose this cold-hearted response to the Messiah with Luke 19:41 when Jesus looks over Jerusalem and weeps for them.

v. 37 And grasping all of this, the crowds were pierced to the heart and called out to Peter and the rest of the Apostles: “Brothers, what do we have to do?”

The verb means “what, in light of all you’ve said and all we have done to Jesus, must we do?” God’s Spirit brings conviction to the heart for repentance and redemption. This is what happens when the Good News is shared with confident passion to people who get it. They get right with God.

The hearers were moved to remorse at their actions and ignorance. Now they knew. And we know that the Holy Spirit is active in making this known.

vv. 38-39 Peter then urged them: “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for your sins’ forgiveness, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For this promise is to you, to your children, and to everyone who is far away, as many as our Lord and God will call.”

If you are uncertain what the crowd meant by “what do we do” Peter makes it clear: acknowledge you are culpable, you’ve failed God and turn from a life that does so. Announce it to the world through baptism, but not like John’s – in the Name. You’ll get the Holy Spirit, you’ll be forgiven, and the promise will be realized in Him.

Peter is speaking to “everyone” and at the same time “each one.” This is a people movement of all, one at a time, who repent, goes to the waters, receives the Spirit.

I can’t see that there is a progression of the order of actions here, since at the end, he asserts that the promise is to whoever God calls. From this, I see acknowledging Jesus as both Lord and Messiah, repentance, and a public declaration all fully together as our response to the Good News;  the Father’s response is forgiveness, relationship with the Father, and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Luke has Jesus instructing the disciples to bear witness and call people to repentance so they can be forgiven (Luke 24). Matthew’s account of the Great Commission includes baptism (Mt. 28:19). Even in Peter’s first sermon, the nations are include – “all who are far off”.

All Israel, you know the prophecies and you can connect it all together; but to all the world, the invitation is this: turn away from a life without God to the Savior Jesus, show the world your new allegiance, and be filled with the Spirit of God.

v. 40 And he warned them with many more words and encouraged them: “Choose to be saved from this warped and deceitful generation!”

The word could mean teachings and instead of warn, declare or speak. Warn fits what come right before and right after this word.  What kind of age, season, nation or generation are they in? One that is warped in thinking and perverse in action. This generation was not thinking or talking straight and their actions were deviant and corrupt. What is our response to such? Find the place of safety and be delivered to a secure place.

“Save yourself by being saved” is the intensity; in other words, You have before you how to be saved, choose to be saved.

The age they lived in was heading toward destruction and Jesus stands in the gap.

v. 41  Then those who accepted his words were baptized and around 3000 were added to their number that day.

We always say 3000, but this affirms that they didn’t get an exact count. More or less. It was 3000-ish. Not worth the quibbling, but they had more on their minds than click off the people counter. There were now 3120 (or 3500, if you go by the 500 on the hillside); and they needed to be disciples in the ways of Jesus.

While many say numbers don’t matter – it’s the quality, not the quantity –  Acts shows a different perspective. Both are important. Here is the quantitative; vv. 42-47 is the qualitative. And in the signs and wonders of the Pentecost outpouring and Joel’s passage, we have the corroborative. Numbers, character, and evidence all point to the Gospel’s power.

Were they all baptized that day? There were pools and water features around the city so it could be possible. Not all of the 3000 stayed after the Pentecost feast; but they left saved and  baptized to live for Christ in their home town under the leadership of God’ Promised Spirit.

Small Group Questions:

Acts 2:34-41

  1. Who gives best directions in your family? Or how are you at giving directions?
  2. If you were in the crowd when Peter said v. 36 how you have felt? How does this verse apply to you since you were in Jerusalem calling for Jesus’ crucifixion.
  3. Of the three questions – Who’s in Charge of my life? Where did I go wrong? How do I get back on track? – which is most relevant to your life today? Why?
  4. How can we pray for you tonight?

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes on Isaiah 9:1-7

Isaiah, Pastor Rick's Study Notes, , ,

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

Isaiah 9:1-7

(PRT)

v. 1 For those who were in heartache and desperation, the sorrow and darkness is removed. In the past,  he disregarded Zebulon and Naphtali; but in the future, he will raise up and honor international Galilee, the way by the sea, beyond the Jordan .

v. 2 The people who walk in darkness and sorrow have seen a great and intense light; for those who live in the land of death’s shadow, the light has shined.

v. 3 You have enlarged the nation and expanded their joy. They rejoice in your Presence with the gladness of harvest-time or the uninhibited rejoicing at the sharing of victory’s  bounties.

v. 4 For you have lifted the heavy burden and shattered the slave’s bar from across their shoulders and broken the scepter of the oppressor just like what happened during Midian’s defeat.

v. 5 For the warrior’s combat boots and garments covered in blood  in the heat of battle will be thrown into the fire for fuel.

v. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given and the rule shall rest on his shoulders; and He will be proclaimed Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God,  the Eternal Father, the Prince of Peace.

v. 7 The greatness and abundance of his reign of peace shall never end; he will establish his kingdom on the throne of David and strengthen it with justice and righteousness from that moment and forever. The zeal of the Lord of the angel armies will make this happen.

v. 1 For those who were in heartache and desperation, the sorrow and darkness is removed. In the past,  he disregarded Zebulon and Naphtali; but in the future, he will raise up and honor the way by the sea, beyond the Jordan, in international Galilee.

The word for anguish is only used in one other place – in Job, to describe how with a breath, the waters of the earth are frozen. Zebulon and Naphtali surround the sea of Galilee and are the areas that saw the activity of the Kingdom of God through Jesus’ ministry (and John’s way-making ministry.) The word for disregarded means to make light of or cause a bearable pain. This is juxtaposed with the high honor the land will experience with the Parousia.

It should be noted that this verse is restorative. For those in deep dark places, hurting from life’s consequences, the coming Messiah lifts the shadows, turns bleak into joy, persistent depression toward wholeness.

In the context of v. 1 is the final verse in chapter 8 and the gloom they are destined to endure.

The promise is: the darkness won’t last. And the promise is for the lands that had been disregarded previously. For those marginalized, the light comes. There is a hint that the greatness of the honor will relate to the depth of the shame. This is the land by the sea, the part of Galilee that abuts the pagan nations and they were the first to be attacked and subjugated when invaders came. Guess where Matthew 4 tell us Jesus came: the land of Zebulon and Naphtali.

The honor and raising up will happen in the moment and last on.

v. 2 The people who walk in darkness and sorrow have seen a great and intense light; for those who live in the land of death’s shadow, the light has shined.

The muddling through life barely surviving, living with one foot in the grave because of the grief and sorrow, light has brought new life, restored hope, fresh purpose. Those who live in the international land of Galilee, who were in hopeless cycles of a broken religion, are set free to know and walk with the Savior. Darkness comes before the light.

v. 3 You have enlarged the nation and expanded their joy. They rejoice in your Presence with the gladness of harvest-time or the uninhibited rejoicing at the sharing of victory’s  bounties.

These two images may get lost on today’s readers. We don’t harvest and most of us don’t take plunder and booty from the battle. But we do sow our lives into our dreams, into the people we love, into the mission we are called into; and we do face the battles of life and the victories we enjoy bring benefits of lessons learned and peace discovered.

Enlarge the nation means to multiply or increase and there is a sense of restoration here, too. The capacity for greater joy and uninhibited rejoicing in the moment. The word for rejoicing is rooted in the word “to spin.” Yes, the dance of joy is real. The small nation of Israel become a multiplied host of people.

v. 4 For you have lifted the heavy burden and shattered the slave’s bar from across their shoulders and broken the scepter of the oppressor just like what happened during Midian’s defeat.

He uses two different words for “staff” or “rod” in this passage. Both are rendered ineffective by the Lord’s rule. Both are tied into the concept of the tribe and is translated that in many instances. The oppressor’s authority and the oppressor’s punishing rod are both involved.

Midian’s kings oppressed the people of God for seven years; when Gideon was victorious their kings were killed and the people of God were victors. Keep in mind that Gideon was prevented from taking his whole army into battle; he only had 300 warriors. Give me a handful of warriors in prayer who have tasted victory, and ministry is powerful.

v. 5 For the warrior’s combat boots and garments covered in blood  in the heat of battle will be thrown into the fire for fuel.

One of the words for battle is literally military sandal or boot. The feet fitted ready with the Good News of Peace, is essential to the battles we face. The weapons of the enemy are destroyed by the Good News of the Kingdom.

v. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given and the rule shall rest on his shoulders; and He will be proclaimed Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God,  the Eternal Father, the Prince of Peace.

Rule, reign and government are all in this word. Isaiah is the only writer of the Bible to use this word and only twice here in this passage. It’s used outside the Bible and means “to turn the head” as in the person who turns the heads of the people to his or her leadership. Perhaps “the right to rule” may fit better here.        

Call is better declare or proclaim.

v. 7 The greatness and abundance of his reign of peace shall never end; he will establish his kingdom on the throne of David and strengthen it with justice and righteousness from that moment and forever. The zeal of the Lord of the angel armies will make this happen.

The Lord of hosts will accomplish the firm establishing of this throne restored from the designs of God that they saw in David’s rule. But, the Lord’s justice and righteousness will strengthen and support his rule.

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes on Isaiah 53:1-6 and Small Group Questions

Isaiah, Pastor Rick's Study Notes, Small Group Study Questions, , , , , , , , ,

Summary Notes on Isaiah. This passage is quoted in more than one place in the New Testament, John 12:37-38 for instance. In these six verses, Isaiah identifies who Jesus is, how He was received, what he came to do, and who responded favorably.

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

Isaiah 53:1-6 (PRT)

v. 1 Who has placed trust in our announcement? To whom has the Lord revealed His strength?      

v. 2 For he shall sprout like a tender sapling before him and a root out of the parched earth; and when we see Him, we are not drawn to him because of  his appearance and good looks.

v. 3 He is despised and discarded, a man of sorrows on first-name basis with grief. We turned our faces away from Him; he was dishonored and counted as nothing.

v. 4 Certainly, he has lifted our sicknesses and carried our sorrows away; we considered Him overwhelmed, beaten, and humbled by God.

v. 5 But he was wounded for rebellion and broken for our sinfulness; for our peace, our punishment was on him and by his stripes and bruising we are healed.

v. 6 All of us have wandered away like sheep; we each have turned away to our own way; and the Lord has laid on Him all our sinfulness.

Study Notes:

v. 1 Who has placed trust in our announcement? To whom has the Lord revealed His strength?

Who believes the report we give? The assumption is that some have believed. Discovered as in revealed or unveiled. The arm of the Lord. Who is the “hearer” in these verses? The nations? The people of God?  John 12:37-38 is the NT referencing of this passage. If the people of God, they are lamenting their blindness. They didn’t see Him when he came.

v. 2 For he shall sprout like a tender sapling before him and a root out of the parched earth; and when we see Him, we are not drawn to him because of  his appearance and good looks.

His handsome or winsome appearance are not what will draw us to him. The idea is that he will look like he’s gone through the trials of the desert.

He is a Savior unlike any would imagine. Instead of the “kingly” image of David, the Savior came in common form, with the weaknesses humanity has, breaking into the world through the pains of birth.

The lament of  the people of God is matched by the Gentiles seeing something never before imagined; a Savior who knows us and has the power to save.

The parched earth is the dry spiritual condition of Israel.

v. 3 He is despised and discarded, a man of sorrows on first-name basis with grief. We turned our faces away from Him; he was dishonored and counted as nothing.

Discarded and abandoned to the Cross. Despised by the nation he came to save. Grief is etched into the creases of his face. He wore his sorrow in ways that our capacity to understand causes us to look away.

v. 4 Certainly, he has lifted our sicknesses and carried our sorrows away; we considered Him overwhelmed, beaten, and humbled by God.

This verse is the turn in the passage. We turned away because of his sorrow-filled face; but we learn the sorrow was for us. He lifted the sicknesses off our bodies and the subsequent sorrows that come.

The weaknesses we carry look back to Isa 40. We are like the wildflowers and the grass. One breath and we wither. The words here point to the “taking on” of the sorrow, the debt, the weaknesses. And making the payment needed. He steps into my place.

v. 5 But he was wounded for rebellion and broken for our sinfulness; for our peace, our punishment was on him and by his stripes and bruising we are healed.

This is His work, His labor. He is not wounded by our sinfulness; he was wounded on behalf of our sin. He is punished because my sin required it; He substituted His holiness for my sinfulness.

Punishment that leads to our peace; bruising that lead to our healing. It’s the action of the Savior that brings the work of the Kingdom to forgive, bring peace, provide healing.

This passage points to the Cross. It is said that Isaiah had such clear foresight that is was as if he was standing on the ground below the cross looking up at the sacrificed savior passage also becomes a dividing point between Evangelicals and Pentecostals. The “by his stripes we are healed” has been taken to mean that healing is ours at the Cross to the same degree that Redemption is. When we align our lives by trusting what Jesus completed on the Cross and through His resurrection to provide forgiveness and a relationship of grace through faith, we also according to Pentecostal belief lay hold of healing.

Redemption is ours by faith and through His grace. As redeemed, Jesus is restoring us, empowering us, healing  us; it’s all based on the finished work of Jesus on the cross. Salvation is by faith through grace; healing is ours in a not yet, but already way.

v. 6 All of us have wandered away like sheep; we each have turned away to our own way; and the Lord has laid on Him all our sinfulness.

We had lost our compass, our direction. Illustration: a compass that  doesn’t work wobbles and lurches around instead of a focused and steady presentation of direction. If you are on a ship or in a small plane, and the compass does this, the passenger is completely lost. We are pilgrims but not without direction.

Small Group Questions – Isaiah 53:1-6:

  1. What is your strangest experience with a GPS or navigation application?
  2. Who has wandered away and “left God’s path” in v. 6? What is God’ solution for this “navigational problem?”
  3. Our passages begins with a question: “Who has believed our message?” Who is vv. 1-3 speaking about? (Hint: The Gospel of John uses this prophecy. Read: John 12:37-39)
  4. The Savior whom God has placed “the sins of us all” (v. 6) brings healing, forgiveness, peace, and more (vv. 4-5).  From these verses, which speaks to a personal need you have for the Savior?
  5. How does our passage describe the Savior by looks? How does this change your own mental image of Jesus?
  6. One name Isaiah calls Jesus is “Prince of Peace.” Where do you need the Prince of Peace in your life today? How can we pray for you?

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes: Matthew 5:17-20

Matthew's Gospel - Study Notes, Pastor Rick's Study Notes, Small Group Study Questions, , , , ,

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

PRT Matthew 5:17-20

v. 17 Don’t even consider that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets; I came not to overthrow and dismiss them but to satisfy and fulfill them.

v. 18 For I tell you this very truth: until heaven and earth come to an end, neither the smallest letter nor the tiniest accent point will disappear until all these things will happen.

v. 19 for this reason, anyone breaks even the smallest of these commandments or teaches others to do the same, will be the smallest in the Kingdom of Heaven. But here’s the one who will be great in the Kingdom of Heaven: everyone who does what it says and teaches others to do the same.

v. 20 For I tell you that, unless your right actions and right relationship with God extends beyond the standards of the legal experts and Pharisees, you won’t even enter the doors of heaven.

Study Notes:

v. 17 Don’t even consider that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets; I came not to overthrow and dismiss them but to satisfy and fulfill them.

Jesus is answering an unspoken question here (or perhaps he heard the rumblings of this statement about tearing down the law and prophets – it later became one of the big accusations. He didn’t destroy (he wrote them!) The word is to break down, dissolve, dismiss, abolish. He came to fulfill the prophets and satisfy the law.

This word destroy is a word picture of someone taking down a tabernacle or tent into pieces. He came to fulfill, that is fill to the fullest, the Law and Prophets.

Light plays a huge role in demonstrating the effect of the Kingdom on people, churches, cultures, generations, etc. We are brought into the light, become the light of the world, and are indwelt by the Spirit of Jesus, the Light of the world.

Ephesians 4 “we were in darkness and now we walk as children of light.”

Philippians 2:15 “you shine as lights to the world.”

1 Peter 2 “we are called out of darkness and into His wonderful light.”

Read this in context with v. 15-16 – what we do is in the light, not to show us to the world, but to show Jesus to the world. Matthew says the light is on the stand where everyone in the house can see the light. Luke says the light is on the stand so that everyone who enters into the house can see. He satisfies the reason people grasp for religion and rules. Jesus completes the prophetic.

v. 18 For I tell you this very truth: until heaven and earth come to an end, neither the smallest letter nor the tiniest accent point will disappear until all these things will happen.

The smallest letter of the Hebrew language is the “yod” – no bigger than an apostrophe. The accent point in Greek is the little marking that might distinguish letter and pronunciations. These accents were not widely used in the marketplace since most wrote in Uncial; and after all, it was their language.

Here, the word is not everlasting but sufficient until heaven and earth disappear. At that point, we will as Paul says, “know in full.” Until God brings it all to the culmination, not even an accent point will be canceled.

v. 19 for this reason, anyone breaks even the smallest of these commandments or teaches others to do the same, will be the smallest in the Kingdom of Heaven. But here’s the one who will be great in the Kingdom of Heaven: everyone who does what it says and teaches others to do the same.

Remember that the legal experts and teachers had set the laws in major and minor categories – greater laws and lesser laws with corresponding ramifications. Some says 613, but these are what Moses said to do or not do. The “for all time” laws are the big ten.

The “least” in the kingdom is a word that can mean littlest or smallest; the person who chooses to live contrary to God’s parameters and/or takes others in the same direction chooses a “small” life here, and the “smallest” life in eternity.

It’s choosing to live in the light. Luke adds some insight here; our acts give light to the world and cause the lost to bring glory to God. Our eyes are our light in Jesus’ parables; and we let light in by what we choose to give witness to; or we let “dark” into our eyes by what we feed on.

The big question on everyone’s mind, then, if the Pharisees and the teachers of the law aren’t in, who will be? Nobody wants to be small; so who will be great? Jesus answers: you who do and teach (demonstration, proclamation.) the Pharisees (Matthew 23:3) taught but clearly didn’t do. That’s why he said the next sentence.

v. 20 For I tell you that, unless your right actions and right relationship with God extends beyond the standards of the legal experts and Pharisees, you won’t even enter the doors of heaven.

These are the comments that endeared Jesus to the people and drew the ire of the temple leaders. This would also fly in the face of “common wisdom” that the Pharisees and legal experts were the examples to follow; Jesus says it’s the exact opposite. It’s like the lovers of the law were approaching heaven, but couldn’t see what stopped them (unforgiven sin – they needed a Savior.)

  1. Have you ever been in a place that was completely, utterly, dark? How did it make you feel?
  2. Do you have a favorite Bible verse? What is it? Why is it so meaningful to you?
  3. How do you “let light in” to your life through using the Bible? What practices do you do now? What do you need to begin practicing?
  4. What can you do the avoid places that make your life smaller and darker?
  5. What kinds of “beautiful deeds” do you like doing for others to help them experience the love of the Savior?
  6. How can others help you through prayer and encouragement?

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes: Mark 16:9-20

Mark's Gospel -Study Notes, Pastor Rick's Study Notes, , , , ,

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

(PRT)

v. 9 Now, when Jesus was raised early on the first day of the week, he appeared first of all to Mary Magdalene, from who he had thrown out seven demons. vv. 10-11 She left there and told those who had been with Jesus and were now grieving and weeping; and they couldn’t believe that he was alive, even after hearing the news that she had seen him. vv. 12-13 And even after all this, two of them showed up and reported to the other disciples that while they were just now walking through the countryside, Jesus appeared to them in a different outward appearance; and they still didn’t believe it. v. 14 But not long afterwards, while the eleven were eating dinner, he showed up and then scolded them for their disbelief and hard-heartedness since they had not trusted those who had seen him risen from the dead. v. 15 Then he said to them: “As you journey into all the world, tell the whole creation the Good News. V 16 The ones who believe and are baptized will be saved; but the ones who remain unbelieving will be condemned.” vv. 17-18 Additionally, miraculous signs will show up around the ones who believe: in my name, they will throw out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will remove serpents with their hands; they will not be harmed even if they drink something deadly; and they will place their hands on the sick and they will be restored.” v. 19 Then, with all assurance, after speaking to them, Jesus was taken up into the heavens and then sat down at God’s right hand. v. 20 And they left there, declaring the Lord everywhere. The Lord was working through them and validating the word through accompanying miraculous signs. Amen.

Study Notes:

v. 9 Now, when Jesus was raised early on the first day of the week, he appeared first of all to Mary Magdalene, from who he had thrown out seven demons.

The rock removed wasn’t for Jesus to escape. The power to keep Jesus from corruption and decay and raise him from the dead wasn’t so weak that a rock would stop it. The rock was removed by the angel afterwards, so the women would see and have faith.

Jesus’ resurrection in v. 8 is framed by his crucifixion. His sacrificed life is integral to the new life we are given in Him.

There were two choices for Jesus being “not there:” His body was taken, or He rose from the dead. No other options are there.

In this summary verses of the telling of the story, Mary Magdalene returned to the sepulcher to try to make sense of all she’d discovered.  And Jesus appeared to her. (Confirmed by John 20.)

vv. 10-11 She left there and told those who had been with Jesus and were now grieving and weeping; and they couldn’t believe that he was alive, even after hearing the news that she had seen him.

This is confirmed in the other Gospels that they couldn’t wrap their minds around this story either. They were slow in coming to believe that Jesus was alive.

vv. 12-13 And even after all this, two of them showed up and reported to the other disciples that while they were just now walking through the countryside, Jesus appeared to them in a different outward appearance; and they still didn’t believe it.

These would be the two walking toward Emmaus to whom Jesus appeared. They rushed back to tell the disciples they had seen Jesus. In sync with the two witnesses, word comes back from others that Peter has seen Jesus, too. (Luke 24)

In his resurrected body, Jesus is the same, yet not the same. He is not subject to the rules we are. He appears as and when and through whatever closed door He wishes. And He does so in the next verse.

That Jesus appeared to a woman and to two who were not of the inner circle shows that status isn’t the qualifier. Each of us has this revealing of the truth and presence of Jesus in our salvation.

v. 14 But not long afterwards, while the eleven were eating dinner, he showed up and then scolded them for their disbelief and hard-heartedness since they had not trusted those who had seen him risen from the dead.

Mark names the new set of apostles minus Judas, The Eleven. They were known here in the context of the one absent but also by the rest remaining faithful and together.

Jesus shows up at dinner, calms their fears, shows them his wounds, has a bite. and calls them out for not believing Mary or the two from Emmaus (or even what has been prophesied – Luke 24).

v. 15 Then he said to them: “As you journey into all the world, tell the whole creation the Good News.

Even the ending of Mark 16:8 fulfills the three prophecies Jesus gave: 8:31, 9:31, 10:32-34. He will complete the work and hand off the work to tell everyone to us. Good News experienced and share in discipleship.

The whole creation contrasts with what Jesus sent them to do earlier as they went out in twos to the Jewish people. Now, all creation, Jews, Samaritans, and the nations.

V 16 The ones who believe and are baptized will be saved; but the ones who remain unbelieving will be condemned.”

This passage is interesting in including baptism in the numbers of the ones who are saved. This isn’t adding the act of baptism to make salvation happen. It is saying, “you believe and of course baptism what you do to show it” but if you don’t believe, of course you wouldn’t be baptized. If you believe, you are also baptized, and in community. The NT concept doesn’t entertain the loner Christian. Other Christians are our community; the ones we rely on, relate to.

vv. 17-18 Additionally, miraculous signs will show up around the ones who believe: in my name, they will throw out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will remove serpents with their hands; they will not be harmed even if they drink something deadly; and they will place their hands on the sick and they will be restored.”

All of this is witnessed in Acts but one: Philip, Paul, others threw demons out of people; Pentecost and the house of Cornelius prayed in new tongues; Paul shook the snake into the fire on the trip to Rome; numerous people were healed from the hands of the early church. Early church fathers tell us that John was poisoned as a way to dispatch him; but he lived.

v. 19 Then, with all assurance, after speaking to them, Jesus was taken up into the heavens and then sat down at God’s right hand.

This is the position of both authority and serving. The timing for His return is known only in the heavenlies. I remember the movies always had trouble making this real; how does one imagine what this was like? I will get to ask the disciples who were on the hillside watching this.

v. 20 And they left there, declaring the Lord everywhere. The Lord was working through them and validating the word through accompanying miraculous signs. Amen.

The main character in this passage is neither the angel resting with confidence on the bench to the right of where dead people lay, nor the women who come to anoint the body, nor the disciples, nor Peter. It is the culmination of the Good News of the Kingdom. It’s about Jesus just like it started with verse one: The Good News starts with Jesus; Our Hope begins here.