QT 2/12/2024 Mark 16:9-13, A poorly written script if made up

Mark 16:9–13 (ESV) —

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

12 After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. 13 And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

 

NOTE: Why did everyone not believe? Why was it a woman chosen first to see Jesus? Why was it a woman who believed whereas most of the men did not believe? Why? Because, the story is true and not made up. This is what happens in the real world. If the story was made up, the script would have been written much differently by the people of that time. The heroes and leaders would have been the first to hear. They would have immediately believed. And they would have gone to their death never denying their story. The latter is pretty difficult if it is only a story. No one likes to die early. All but one of the apostles died early because they refused to deny the truth. Some disciples, like Stephen, died within a year of the resurrection.

 

Acts 7:54–60 (ESV) — 54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

 

There is no excuse a logical person can make. A person does not believe because they do not want to believe.

 

PONDER:

1. Have I searched the scriptures honestly, not looking for contradictions, but believing it is true and then understanding what I read? Our presumptions make all the difference.

 

PRAYER: Father, help me to share my faith boldly and respectfully. Give me the words to answer those who truly seek. Help me to see those who don't truly want to believe.