Episode 170

Mark 16:9-14

For John MacArthur's sermon on Mark 16:9-20, click HERE.

Mark 16:9-14

  1. Let us mark what abundant proof we have that our Lord Jesus Christ really rose again from the dead.
  2. Let us mark our Lord Jesus Christ's singular kindness to Mary Magdalene.
  3. Let us mark how much weakness there is sometimes in the faith of the best Christians.

"We ought to thank God that the fact of the resurrection is so clearly established. The Jew, the Gentile, the priests, the Roman guard, the women who went to the tomb, the disciples who were so hesitant to believe, are all witnesses whose testimony cannot be denied."

"We need not doubt, for another thing, that our Lord's appearing "first to Mary Magdalene" was intended to comfort all who have become penitent believers, after having run into great excesses of sin. It was meant to show us that, however far we may have fallen, we are raised to entire peace with God, if we repent and believe the Gospel."

"Let us however see in the doubts of these good men the over-ruling hand of an all-wise God. If they were convinced at last, who were so unbelieving at first, how strong is the proof supplied us that Christ rose indeed."

Questions:

1. In the West particularly, we have emphasized the cross above the resurrection. You cannot have the resurrection without a cross first, but a cross without a resurrection means we are dead in our trespasses and sins. Do our hearts rightly emphasize the importance of this great, undeniable fact of the resurrection? Is it a cause of great joy even as you think of it now?

2. Do we believe that the same Jesus who appeared first to Mary, is the same Jesus who shows compassion on all who believe in the gospel? Do we see a Jesus who is stingy and skeptical, or a Jesus who joyfully pardons?

3. How do we respond when we or other Christians doubt? Are we harsh on ourselves and others, or are our hearts filled with grace? At the same time, do we watch and pray against unbelief as the sin it is, or do we let it fester?

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Shaun Martens

Hi! My name is Shaun Martens, and I have the joy of serving the local body of Christ called First Baptist Church of Calgary as one of its pastors. I am married to my beautiful wife, Madelyn, and together we have 5 children, 3 of which we have the joy of parenting. I created this podcast to make the edifying writings of J.C. Ryle more accessible in a listening and devotional format.
If you are encouraged by this work or have any feedback or questions, I would love to hear from you! My email is smartens@firstbaptistcalgary.com.