SERIES: Mark — The Cross-Shaped Life (Easter 2025)
TEXT: Mark 15:42-16:8
MESSAGE: “He Has Risen”
“(Resurrection is) death’s reversal.” — N.T. Wright
“And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain…19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.” — 1 Corinthians 15:14; 19
“At this time there was a wise man called Jesus, and his conduct was good, and he was known to be virtuous. Many people among the Jews and the other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. But those who had become his disciples did not abandon his discipleship. They reported that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive.” — Flavius Josephus (Ancient Jewish Historian)
TEXT: Mark 15:42-16:8
“Jesus is dead. John 19:34 tells us “one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear” just to be certain. Normally, a man who died by crucifixion would be left on the cross to rot or be eaten by dogs or birds of prey. What was left of the corpse would then be thrown into the Valley of Hinnom (see comments on Mark 9:43–48). Jesus, however, would be spared this humiliation because (1) Jewish law demanded that even executed criminals receive a proper burial and that those hanged on a tree be taken down and buried before sunset (Deut 21:23), and (2) Joseph of Arimathea “boldly went in to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body” (Mark 15:43).” — Daniel Akin
What do we see from today’s text that gives us hope for the resurrection? Let’s look at (1. What they expected 2. What they experienced 3. What it means)
1. What they expected (v. 15:42-47)
And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. 45 And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. 46 And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.
“Crucifixion was such a shameful way to die that the corpses were normally treated with scant respect. But in Jesus’ case a prominent member of the Council who had tried Jesus, Joseph from Arimathea, went to Pilate to ask for the body, and having obtained it, wrapped it appropriately, put it into a rock tomb and sealed the place with a stone.” — Donald English
2. What they experienced (v. 16:1-6)
When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.
“The women do not come to the tomb with any sense of hope, and their fretting about the stone creates dramatic tension. When ‘they look up’, they realize they have been anxious about entering a tomb already open.” — David Garland
“Mark’s Gospel began with God’s messenger announcing what God was about to do (Mark 1:2-8); it closes with God’s messenger announcing what God has done.” — David Garland
3. What it means (v. 16:7-8)
“But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
“As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.”— Mark 1:16-18
You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee. 29 Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” — Mark 14:27-29
TAKEAWAYS:
- Reset Expectations
- Evaluate the Evidence
- Embrace the Good News
“…no one can remain neutral regarding Jesus’ resurrection. The claim is too staggering, the event is too earthshaking, the implications are too significant, and the matter is too serious. We must each either receive or reject it as truth for us, and to remain indifferent or undecided is to reject it.” — Gerry Breshears
Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” — John 20:24-28