Mark 16:9-18

Just B.E.L.I.E.V.E.

Blessed are those who have not seen with their eyes but by faith believe. 

2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Jesus was seen first by the marginalized of his culture…a woman. Those who are forgiven much…love much!

Mark 16:9–18

9 Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.

12 After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country. 13 And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.

14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

This passage, which has been designated the longer ending of Mark, summarizes the risen Jesus’ dealings with His disciples as narrated in the other canonical Gospels. Based on manuscript evidence, it probably is a later addition intended to harmonize Mark’s account with those of Matthew, Luke, and John. Faithlife Bible.

Although the women had been commissioned to tell of Jesus’ resurrection, none had actually seen Jesus until He appeared first to Mary Magdalene. Only this verse and Luke 8:2 mention Jesus’ exorcism of seven demons from Mary, which would explain her strong devotion to Him.

Jesus’ resurrection was evidently not expected by anyone in spite of His repeated predictions. The Resurrection itself resulted in faith, rather than the expectation thereof.

Jesus’ appearance in another form may indicate that He appeared differently to the two on the road than He had appeared to Jesus’ followers before. The identity of the two who walked is not entirely stated. However, one is identified as Cleopas, and it has been suggested that he was accompanied by his wife.

After Judas’ demise, the disciples were known for a while as the eleven. Jesus upbraided these disciples for not believing the accounts of eyewitnesses, but He pronounced a blessing on “those who have not seen and yet have believed”.

He who does not believe will be condemned. Those who believe in Christ will be saved.

These signs were evident in the early church. Casting out demons demonstrated victory over Satan. Speaking with new tongues began at Pentecost. Healing the sick occurred in several instances. Taking up serpents occurred in Paul’s encounter with a poisonous snake, which did not produce ill effects.

The final sign that Jesus was the Son of God is that He was received up into heaven to be seated at the right hand (the position of authority and power) of God. The obedience of Christ’s disciples who went out and preached everywhere challenges us to engage in that same endeavor. We can be confident that as the Lord was working with them, He will also work with us. NKJ Bible.

After the Lord had spoken he went up into heaven. Sitting is a posture of rest, he had finished his work; and a posture of rule, he took possession of his kingdom. He sat at the right hand of God, which denotes his sovereign dignity and universal power. Whatever God does concerning us, gives to us, or accepts from us, it is by his Son. Now he is glorified with the glory he had before the world. Matthew Henry Commentary.

Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Luke 8:2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons,

Luke 10:19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Acts 1:2 until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen,