Monday Bible Study (17th August, 2020)
THE UNIQUE BLESSINGS OF CHRIST’S INDISPUTABLE RESURRECTION
Mark 16:1-8
Christ’s resurrection is indisputable and has unique blessings and benefits for believers. His resurrection is central to the message and presentation of the gospel for repentance, faith, salvation, redemption and justification. The New Testament is replete with emphasis on the resurrection of Christ. It was important that the disciples were very sure about the resurrection. It is also important for everyone to hear and believe this truth because it is pivotal and indispensable to our understanding of the message of the gospel, grace, salvation, redemption and fullness of the provision of Calvary for us.
- INEXCUSABLE ANXIETY IN THE LIGHT OF CHRIST’S PROPHESIED RESURRECTION
Mark 16:1-4
The women who went to anoint Christ’s body so that it would not decay in the grave were anxious about who would roll away the stone at the entrance. But He had already predicted and prophesied about His resurrection. Therefore, that anxiety was unnecessary. There are three things to note here:
(i). Comprehensive Statements of Christ’s Predicted Resurrection
Mark 16:1,2; John 20:1,9; Matthew 16:21; 17:22,23; Mark 9:31,32; 10:33,34; Luke 9:22; Mark 14:27,28
Christ’s prediction of His resurrection was comprehensive. He had used the analogy of Jonah in the whale’s belly to show that He would die, be buried and rise again on the third day. So, they had no reason or excuse to remain in doubt of what would happen on the third day. Still, “Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him” because they “knew not the scripture”. Though they heard how Jesus had said He must “rise the third day”, they refused to think about it, despite seeing the fulfillment of other things He predicted. It is important we understand the Scriptures so as to sacrifice, serve and work acceptably for the honour and glory of God.
(ii). Costly Sacrifice without Comprehending Precious Revelation
Mark 16:1-3; 15:40,47; John 19:25; 12:3,7; Mark 15:46
“Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had BOUGHT sweet spices that they might anoint him… VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING…” These women showed great love and devotion, and made great sacrifice and service unto the Lord. But heaven did not recognise their effort because they disregarded the precious revelation of Christ’s resurrection. Besides, their sacrifice to anoint His body was no longer necessary because the proper anointing had been done much earlier by Mary, the sister of Martha. To be rewarded, any service we render to Christ must be done at the appropriate time.
(iii). Consecrated Service after Confirmed Pivotal Redemption
Mark 16:1-4; 1 Corinthians 15:14,17,18; Acts 3:26; 5:30,31; Romans 4:23-25; 10:9,10; 1 Peter 1:3
Christ’s indisputable resurrection is pivotal and important for our redemption. Without it, our faith is vain. It is His resurrection that gives us repentance from sin and forgiveness from God. However, we must first confess our sins and believe Christ died for our sins and rose again for our justification before we receive salvation.
- INESTIMABLE ANGELIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF CHRIST’S PERSONAL RESURRECTION
Mark 16:5-8
There are three things to note here:
(i). Angels’ Indisputable Announcement of Christ’s Personal Resurrection
Mark 16:5,6; Matthew 28:1-7; Luke 24:22-27; John 20:11-18
“Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here… But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, AS HE SAID UNTO YOU”. Mary wept at Christ’s sepulchre because she did not expect to see Him alive. If we always meditate on what Christ said, we would have no reason to weep unnecessarily. When we do not think about the words of Jesus, we may not know the time of our deliverance. Without thinking in the right direction, we will be religious and miss the miracle of resurrection. Also, our supposition will keep us sorrowful.
(ii). Assuring Infallible Appearances after Christ’s Personal Resurrection
Mark 16:7; Luke 24:13-35; John 20:19-29; Acts 1:3,4; 10:39-41; 1 Corinthians 15:4-7
“To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs…” Christ appeared to Mary, the two disciples on their way to Emmaus, Peter, John, the eleven and more than five hundred at the same time. He spoke about things pertaining to the kingdom of God. Though the disciples did not believe or accept that He had risen after the information came to them at first, what they saw was not an apparition but a definite revelation. All the people who saw Christ after His resurrection saw the real, risen Christ.
(iii). Apostolic Irresistible Affirmation of Christ’s Personal Resurrection
Acts 4:1-3; 5:28-32; 17:2,3,18,31; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4,17,20; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18
If the resurrection of Christ was not true, the apostles and disciples would not stake their lives and die for what they knew to be false. For “as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead”. The apostles and disciples were sure of Christ’s resurrection and they preached it. We receive salvation, abundant grace, the righteousness of God, and become candidates for heaven when we believe that Jesus died and rose again.
- INEXHAUSTIBLE ABUNDANCE THROUGH CHRIST’S POWERFUL RESURRECTION
Mark 16:7; 14:28; Matthew 28:10-18
There are three things to note here:
(i). Experiential Forgiveness and Full Salvation through His Resurrection
Acts 5:30,31; 13:37-39; Romans 10:9,10; 6:5-8,18,22; 1 Peter 1:3,14-16; 3:21,22; John 11:25,26
There is no other way to have forgiveness, salvation, justification and be ready for heaven except through Christ. He is the “resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in [Him], though he were dead, yet shall he live”.
(ii). Extraordinary Filling with the Fructifying Spirit through His Resurrection
Isaiah 32:15; Acts 2:31-33; Romans 8:11,34; John 14:12-17; 15:16,26,27; Ephesians 1:18-23; 3:16-19
All the blessings we have in the kingdom of God – forgiveness, saving, sanctifying, sustaining, sufficient grace, the Spirit of God at salvation, sanctification, Holy Ghost baptism, healing, protection, preservation, edification and enlightenment – are received through the resurrection of Christ.
(iii). Eternal Fellowship with Faithful Saints through His Resurrection
Matthew 27:52,53; 1 Corinthians 15:19,20,51,52; Colossians 3:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17; 1:3,10; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 1 John 3:1-3
The reason we would have fellowship and an eternity of joy and blessedness with the Lord is because of His resurrection, which we believe. We identify with Him in baptism and are raised together with Him in newness of life. Thus, “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall [we] also appear with him in glory”.
GHS: 241