Mark Chapter 16
The Road of Resurrection
The Resurrection (1 - 8)
As I sit here on this cold hard floor how can I say anything that would match just three little words? He is risen! The loudest song, the highest praise, the applause of a million angels could not match those three words. He is risen! No daybreak, no sunset, no palace, no ocean, could blaze higher or be more splendid than those three words. He is Risen! Forgive me for when I began to tell of what happen next my spirit soars within me and takes me out of this cell. It is almost as if I am sitting at His feet in Heaven. I must again relate to you what was told to me for I was not present when all this took place. I can tell you however that after three days of darkness in my soul I awoke to the brightest blue sky I had ever seen, it was as if the flowers had bloomed just that morning and were singing praises to the heavens as they waved in a gentle warm breeze that seemed to sing its own song. I know this might sound a little off but the birds and the animals seemed to also be singing a new and glorious song. That third morning I can tell you that something in my soul or spirit seemed to be at peace with what had happen three days before. Somehow I just knew that all was alright. A few days later as I was walking down that same road (my soul was still at rest though I still did not know why but was soon to find out) that led to the city I looked up and saw Mary Magdalene and Mary hurrying down the road. Even from a distance I could see that their faces were glowing. As they approached me I could hear them saying He is not there. After we had hugged and they caught their breath they told me what had happened. They were going to the tomb with some spices they had purchased to anoint the body of Jesus. They explained that they were wondering how they were going to move the large stone that covered the tomb. As they got closer they could see that the stone had been rolled away. They slowed down in fear but approached anyway. When they looked inside they saw a young man sitting there dressed in pure white. They said they were ready to run out of the tomb when the young man said to them, "do not be alarmed, you seek Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here but see the place where they laid Him. Now, go tell His disciples and Peter that He is going before you into Galilee. There you will see Him just as He told you." They said they fled the tomb and start hurrying to Galilee but they were too afraid to tell anyone.
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene (9 - 11)
As we talked their excitement began to grow again. They were talking, praising and weeping at the same time. Then they both stopped and looked at each other and laughed. Mary graciously looked at Mary Magdalene and said you tell him what happened. Mary said that as she was walking He appeared to her. She said she went to the others who were mourning and weeping and told them He was alive. When she said this my knees buckled and yet I felt my spirit soar. She said when she told the others that He was alive and that she had seen Him they did not believe her. Even though my spirit was soaring I must admit that I wondered if Mary was just in a state of shock, refusing to believe the truth and yet when she spoke her words rang of the truth. I was confused to say the least.
Jesus Appears to Two Disciples (12 - 13)
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She then said there was more to tell and then ask Mary to tell this part of the story. Mary said that He appeared to two other disciples and they also went and told the others but they still would not believe even two of the disciples. I was so enthralled by the story that I forgot to ask who the disciples were but I have an idea that one of them might have been Peter. Perhaps John was the other one for he seemed to have such a special bond with Jesus.
The Great Commission (14 - 20)
The dawn is beginning to break and I can see sun beginning to come up. It is the day when I go to meet my Jesus. What a glorious day it will be. It is as if God had painted this sky just for me. I can hear birds singing praises to our King. Before they come to take me to my cross, a cross which I am not worthy to die on for my Savior died on a cross. Yes, before I end my earthly journey let me tell you what happened next. I met up with Andrew a few days later and he told me that all of them were eating together and Jesus appeared to them. He rebuked them for the hardness of their hearts because they did not believe Mary and the others when they were told that He was risen. Andrew said it was the most wonderful scolding he had ever received in his life. He said Jesus then sat down with them and loved them. He told them to go into the entire world and preach the gospel to all of creation. Jesus said that whoever believes and is baptized will be saved and whoever does not believe will be condemned. Andrew said that there would be signs that would accompany them. I have personally seen a lame man healed when Peter laid hands on him. I also heard of a disciple named Paul who used to persecute believers and of his conversion. I heard that this Paul had accidentally picked up a deadly viper while gathering wood and nothing happened to him. Andrew then told me that they watched as Jesus was taken up into Heaven. He said that He is now sitting at the right hand of God interceding for us. I have been preaching and proclaiming this good news now for several years and it is for His gospel that I have the honor of being crucified. I hear the executioner's footsteps approaching; perhaps I may have the chance to tell him of Jesus's wonderful saving grace as they lead me to the cross. My friends if you are reading this then tell someone that Jesus came to save sinners. For He so loved us - goodbye until I along with my Savior see you in glory.
The End
My Journey - written by Donald Hatfield
Copy written 3/15/2013
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