28 March, 2024

Lesson for April 21, 2019: Follow the Risen One (Mark 16:1-11)

by | 15 April, 2019 | 0 comments

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in issue no. 4 (weeks 13-16; March 31–April 21, 2019) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com.

______

Lesson Aim:  Believe the startling reality of Christ’s resurrection.

______

Clark Pinnock said, “The biggest objection to Christianity is that it seems too good to be true.” But it is true. Christ has been raised from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20). That fact alone compels us to follow the Risen One.

The story of the resurrection has everything in it a great story needs. It has grief—over a loved one who has died. It has devotion—of women who wanted to pay their respects. It has the supernatural—an angel in a tomb. It has shock and wonderment—people amazed but hoping against hope that Jesus might just be alive. It has angst—how come in Mark’s account of this event Jesus does not even show up? Where is the Risen One?

Honor the Dead  |  Mark 16:1-3

When the Sabbath was over—which could be as early as 6:00 p.m. Friday evening—three women made preparations to go to the tomb of Jesus. Other women evidently joined these three (Matthew 28:1; Mark 15:47; Luke 23:55; 24:1-3; John 20:1, 2) to anoint Jesus’ body. Israelites did not embalm as the Egyptians did. But the onslaught of Sabbath following the death of Jesus at 3:00 p.m. on Friday did not allow enough time to properly anoint, and thereby honor, Jesus’ body.

Very early on the first day of the week (a phrase that occurs six times in Mark’s Gospel) just after sunrise, these women made their way to the tomb. (Matthew says it was “toward the dawn” (28:1); Luke says it was “at early dawn” (24:1); John says that “it was still dark” (20:1). The point would be “not quite sunrise.”) En route to the tomb they discovered that they had not accounted for the stone that was in front of the tomb entrance. Their grief had affected their logic, but their devotion to honor Jesus was noble.

Hear the Angel  |  Mark 16:4-7

The women arrived at the tomb only to find it unoccupied by Jesus and inhabited by an angel. Luke and John mention two angels. Matthew and Mark focus on just one. The women were the first to believe the resurrection story, but the young man dressed in a white robe was the first to announce it.

The angel gave a six-fold message. First, there was the pastoral statement: don’t be afraid. The angel said this because they were. Easter is actually scary. Second, there was the indicative statement: you are looking for Jesus . . . True—they were. Third, there was the gospel statement: He has risen! He is not here. This is the heart of the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3, 4). Fourth, there is the apologetic statement: See the place where they laid him. Investigate it. Check out the claim. Easter does not ask us to kiss our brains goodbye. Ours is to be an informed faith. Fifth, there was the commissioning statement: but go, tell his disciples and Peter . . . The fact that Peter is singled out is most engaging. We are not told why he is singled out, but if Jesus were alive, it would be extremely good news to this denier. Finally, there was a promising statement: he is going to Galilee and there you will see him. If they would see him then obviously he would be alive.

Believe the Fact  |  Mark 16:8-11

The resurrection is a fact claimed to have happened in history. We put no faith in the resurrection. Our faith is located in the Risen One and we appropriate his grace by virtue of his “livingness.” The women and the disciples had the same challenges in believing this fact as we do today—and they were there.

No wonder Mark clusters several terms that psychologically challenge this fact. They were trembling (traumatized), bewildered (stand outside of themselves), and afraid (full of phobia, scared). In fact, Mark used about six different terms from the “phobia family” in his Gospel to speak of this unsettling Messiah.

The text goes onto speak of one of Jesus’ resurrection appearances, to Mary Magdalene (John 20:1, 2, 11-18). She was one of the most devoted followers of Jesus—no doubt due to the demonic deliverance that he had given her. Her testimony of the Risen One was not embraced by the disciples—at least at first. Maybe, for them, it was too good to be true.

Note that most English translations footnote the verses that follow verse eight. The oldest and best manuscripts do not contain Mark 16:9-20. There are several challenges to this ending in Mark (see Bruce Metzger, A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament).

_______

Lesson study ©2018, Christian Standard Media. Print and digital subscribers are permitted to make one print copy per week of lesson material for personal use. Lesson based on the scope and sequence, ©2018 by Christian Standard Media. Scripture quotations are from the New International Version, ©2011, unless otherwise indicated.

<a href="https://christianstandard.com/author/markscott/" target="_self">Mark Scott</a>

Mark Scott

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. He also serves as minister with Park Plaza Christian Church in Joplin.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Articles

Ministry Help Wanted

Recent postings: Impact Christian Church (Moon Township, Pa.) is seeking an executive pastor. The Christian Campus Foundation (CCF) at the University of Illinois is seeking a full-time director of campus ministry. New Brighton (Minn.) Christian Church needs a new senior minister. Summit Christian College (Gering, Neb.) is accepting applications for the position of academic dean. And more . . .

Stories

By taking these symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, we announce we believe there really was a Jesus, and he really did die for us and carried all our sins down to a grave . . .

Documentary Highlights Christian Response to Pandemics

Southeast Christian Church’s “Purpose in Pandemics” is a documentary that follows the response of the church to pandemics throughout history. The “Purpose in Pandemics” website also includes a study guide for small groups and individuals.

Used of God

I soaked up Sam Stone’s wit and wisdom during our lunches together. Afterward, I’d take notes about our conversations. After hearing of his passing, inspired by his wordsmithing, I felt compelled to share just a small part of his story.

Sam E. Stone: ‘He Tried to Speak the Truth in Love’

In memory and appreciation of our former editor, Sam E. Stone, who died early this week, we share this 2011 column from Christian Standard’s archives in which Sam discussed four Scripture verses significant to his life.

Elliott Library ‘Cornerstone’ Laid

Three Bibles of historical significance to Cincinnati Christian University were the first books place on the shelves during relocation of the George Mark Elliott Library.

The Death of Evil

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saw in minority groups’ struggles for social equality in America a parallel with Israel’s bondage in Egypt. King envisioned God’s goodness would deliver the U.S. from the evil of segregation.

Mark Scott’s Greatest Kingdom Impact

Since I first enrolled at Ozark Christian College, Mark Scott has been my kingdom hero, and I’m not the only young preacher Mark has shaped. Over his 35 years at OCC, Mark has inspired generations of students.

‘Have We Plans for 1921?’

“All the Standard asks is the opportunity to serve, and it yearns to render in 1921 the greatest, finest, and best service of its history. . . .”

News Briefs for Dec. 9

Items from Timber Lake Christian Church (Moberly, Mo.), Choateville Christian Church (Frankfort, Ky.), Johnson University, and more.

My Counsel for Young Preachers

If I were counseling an aspiring young preacher fresh out of Bible college or seminary, champing at the bit to lead in the church, I would offer these three bits of advice.

My Memories of Marshall Leggett

By Ben Merold
As I think about Marshall Leggett, who passed away on March 2 at age 90, two personal experiences keep coming to my mind . . .

Powell Quintuplets Graduating from High School

When the Powell quintuplets were born in 2001, all of Kentucky celebrated, including Southeast Christian Church, where the Powells are longtime members. Now the quints are 18 and are all headed to the same university.

Reentry: It May Be Harder Than We Think

When the COVID-19 crisis eases, I anticipate that reentry is going to be harder than some people think. Churches, especially, need to prepare for this.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Easter Church Attendance’ (1949)

“This Lord’s Day will find nearly all the churches having the largest crowds of the year,” editor Burris Butler wrote in 1949. “It has become almost proverbial that many people attend church on Easter Sunday who never come at any other time” . . .

News Briefs for March 27

Ozark Christian College has updated their logo. Also, briefs from Harlan (Ky.) Christian Church, Summit Christian College, and the Common Grounds Unity Podcast.

The Best Sermon I Never Heard

“Can I tell you about the best sermon I never heard?” Matt Proctor asked the crowd at ICOM last November. “If I could time travel just once . . . I would go back to Luke 24. On that very first Easter Sunday . . . the resurrected Jesus is walking on the road to Emmaus, talking with two travelers. . . .”

KCU Announces Agreements with LBC, NEOBC

Kentucky Christian University has announced separate agreements to enable those who have earned a bachelor’s degree from Louisville Bible College or Northeast Ohio Bible College to seamlessly transition into the graduate programs offered by KCU’s Keeran School of Bible and Ministry. . . .

Follow Us