Meeting the risen Christ

Behold my Servant #85: Meeting the risen Christ     Mark 16:9-14

Several experiences of meeting personally with the risen Saviour are recorded in these verses. In keeping with Mark’s writing style throughout, his record is very concise and to the point. He has particular points of emphasis to make, rather than give a full narrative account of the events. His purpose is to underscore both the reality of these events and the power of unbelief that robbed these saints of the joy and glory of the resurrection for a time. In each case, while he quickly piles up evidence for the resurrection, he references the unbelief that surrounded those experiences.

It is a point of interest that v9-20 are disputed by modern textual critics. Without exception modern translations of the New Testament that follow a modern Greek text, based on corrupted manuscripts, remove these verses or reduce them to a footnote. There is good reason to insist that these verses are part of Mark’s inspired account.

I  MARY MAGDALENE SEES THE SAVIOUR.

Cp v9-11.

Mary was among the group of women that discovered the empty tomb, v1. Cp Luke 24:10-11. Although they left the tomb, v8, it is clear that Mary halted and lingered, Jn 20:11. Cp Jn 20:17, Matt 28:8-9. The experience of Mary reminds us of the desire to have an experience of the risen Christ that every child of God should cultivate. Cp Phil 3:7-10, 13-15.

1. A priority given. Mary is privileged by the Saviour in this remarkable way. The other women were still in the area, but Mary is singled out for this special favour. There are differences in the experiences of Christ enjoyed by His people. She had lingered longest at the tomb it seems—weeping profusely, speaking a second time with the angels, speaking even of her desire to recover the absent body etc, Jn 20:15.
2. A poignant reminder of grace. Why was she so favoured? She loved much because she had been forgiven much, Luke 7:47. The reminder of her past sinful condition is given here to underline that this was all of grace. The extreme points of her spiritual experience are detailed. At first in the devil’s power and brought the first into the presence of the living Christ. Cp Eph 2:5-6. The power of the Saviour is emphasized! It may well be that these were the very things she was thinking about. Such thoughts fuel the desire to know a living experience of Christ.
3. Having met the Saviour she is ready to tell others. At various times, and separately, the testimony of the women is carried to the other disciples. It is only now that she obeys the injunction of the angels. Cp Matt 28:8-10. Such personal assurance, on the basis of personal experience, is necessary to such a witness.
4. Her testimony is not believed, v11. They remained in a sorrowful state, v10. Cp Luke 24:11.

II  APPEARING IN ANOTHER FORM ON THE EMMAUS ROAD.

Cp v12-13.

Here is Mark’s brief account of the Saviour’s appearance to the two disciples, one of whom was named Cleopas, on the road to Emmaus. The full record is given in Luke 24:13ff.

1. They had left Jerusalem. It is clear that they were discouraged and disappointed in their hopes. They had therefore left for home.
2. He appeared in another form. He appeared to them in the guise of a stranger. This apparently refers to His external appearance/clothing rather than any physical change. They later recognized Him, v31. In part this was because of the sad unbelief that gripped their eyes, (holden) Luke 24:16. It is striking that the Lord used the Scriptures to reveal Himself to them rather than any reference to His physical form/appearance. No doubt He explained to them the many ‘forms’ in which He appears there.
3. They were stirred to return and report their experience. It was not believed either. They found the other disciples speaking of the resurrection as a certainty, Luke 24:33-34. Yet their testimony was not believed. A part, therefore, of the witness was believed and a part rejected!

III   APPEARING TO THE DISCIPLES.

Cp v14, Jn 20:19.

It is strange that He makes them wait till the last. N.b. afterward!

1. A group experience. The group of disciples is gathered in sorrow and fear. Cp Luke 41:43. God’s people should expect to have corporate experiences of the living Saviour.
2. Rebuke. He scolded the for their unbelief and hardness of heart. This was seen in the fact that they did not believe the first-hand accounts of those He had sent to them. This unbelief of theirs was all the more serious because it was they who had received the instruction the Saviour had given previously on the subject. This is what kept them to the last in this experience of the risen Saviour.