Mark 16 - Jesus Rises from the Dead and Commissions the Disciples

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There are two versions of Mark 16. One is called the shorter version, which is verses 1-8. The other is called longer one, and includes verses 9-20.  Most of the earliest manuscripts do not have verses 9-20 in them. Generally speaking the shorter version is to be preferred over the longer one because the longer one likely contains additions from later on. 

One can see why someone might want to add something to the shorter version. In it three women run to the tomb and find Jesus' tomb empty. They see a young man dressed in a white robe sitting at the side of the tomb, presumably an angel. The angel told them that Jesus was not there that he was risen and had gone ahead into Galilee. They were to take this message back to Peter and the rest of the disciples. 

But interestingly the women are afraid. left the tomb, and told no one what happened. Not a very great way to end Mark's gospel.

So then we have verses 9-20, which start with Mary Magdalene, who Jesus revealed himself to after rising from the dead. She went and told the disciples, but they did not believe her. Jesus appeared to two more disciples, who also reported it to the other disciples. They did not believe them either. This is probably the disciples Jesus met and appeared to on the Road to Emmaus, which is told by Luke. 

Finally, Jesus appeared to the Eleven when they were eating. He rebuked them for their lack of faith, but then gave them a commission similar to Matthew's Great Commission in Matthew 28. 

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Notice Jesus summarizes the gospel in both belief and baptism. Though baptism doesn't save someone it is obviously a very important part of the salvation process. While Matthew's gospel focused on making disciples by baptizing and teaching them to obey all Jesus had commanded, Mark's gospel focused on the supernatural signs which would be accomplished through the disciples. Remember we said Mark's gospel is the "power gospel". 

These signs would include driving out demons, speaking in tongues, and healing people. Jesus was taken up to heaven to the right hand of the Father. The disciples went out and preached everywhere, and they were accompanied by the signs Jesus had said. Notice it was both their WORDS and the WORKS which constituted the sharing of the Good News. The gospel was not only preached, but also lived out in front of people. The gospel Jesus preached which was that the kingdom of God had come near in Him. 

When the disciples did these supernatural deeds it backed up the Good News they preached. God's kingdom represents God's effective rule and reign. Where God is ruling there is no sickness and demons don't have a chance. 

Do you think God gives us this kind of power, as we preach and live out the gospel today? Why or why not? Do we teach that the gospel is more than just words. The gospel also comes with great power through the Holy Spirit and manifests itself in signs and wonders? Why do you think it is so important for the church to show God's power is still available today, and God still heals and delivers people today?