The Faith of One

Read Mark 16:9-20 

Having wonderful news and a wonderful story to go along with it is such an amazing gift, it makes it all the more frustrating when people that know you do not believe you. This is where we find ourselves in our passage for today out of Mark 16. A lot of the early manuscripts of the Bible do not have this story included in it, which makes it all the more mysterious and powerful in a way. There are a couple of details that we cannot miss, because they are so specific to who Jesus was. 

In verse nine we read that Jesus rose early on the first day of the week. We see all throughout Scripture that Jesus’ days in ministry were busy and a lot of the times they started early in the morning, and this day, the day Jesus rose from the dead, was no different. The next detail we see in this passage is who Jesus reveals Himself to, and it is Mary Magdalene, the mother of James, who Jesus drove demons out of. One of the most amazing things about Jesus to me personally is His ministry to the one. What I mean by that is, all throughout the gospels, Jesus has powerful and amazing conversations with individuals. Sure, He preaches and He heals in front of crowds, but some of the most powerful stories we know about Jesus are when He is talking to an individual when no one else is around. And not only that, so many of the individuals He talks to have been marginalized by society and have been put in lowly positions where they do not have a lot of power or status.   

Jesus chooses to reveal Himself to Mary Magdalene, and when she goes back to report this amazing thing that has happened, she is not believed by the other disciples. Later on, Jesus rebukes them for their lack of faith, and Jesus leaves them with a short but powerful command, “go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Jesus tells them that there are specific signs that will happen as a result of this. After all the things the disciples have seen Jesus do, Jesus is now giving His authority to them. A great task and responsibility, but one that they do not have to do alone. 

Sometimes life becomes so lonely, and believing in Jesus may feel frustrating when you feel as if He is not answering your prayers. If you are in this place today, I encourage you to make space to remember Jesus revealing Himself to the woman at the well, to Mary Magdalene at the tomb and to the disciples, and that He cares about revealing Himself to you, His child as well. 

FOR REFLECTION:

• How has Jesus revealed Himself to you personally? What encouragement do you find in the fact that He loves you individually and fully? 

by Gabriel Douglas