Resurrection Power – From the Edges

From the Edges – Resurrection Power
Pastor Calvin Cook – April 1, 2024
Scripture focus – Mark 16:14-16
Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

What have we received because of Easter, because of the Resurrection. Have we already just moved back to our regular lives, even after the heart stirring encounter with Jesus and the reminder of the sacrifice in place of our lives.

One of my friends said, while exiting church yesterday “Easter this year was a time of reprogramming”. I’ve thought over this statement the last few hours, only to come to the place where I ask the question “why should we need re-programmed”. Evidently it becomes a part commitment when following Jesus, the constant need for reminder of who Jesus is and what He has done for all of us.

Mark 16:9-13 sites that after the resurrection Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalen in one instance (vs 9) and to two of the Disciples (vs 12) and as this must have brought a new prospective, they went and told the others. However, it seems that they were so gripped in grief that they could not experience or believe what had happened. Mark 16 :11&13 records “they did not believe it”.

Though the Disciples had experienced firsthand the Resurrection of Jesus, still there was doubt. For us on the morning after, does doubt still exist? If doubt is existing, maybe it was because we have allowed our surroundings, our pre-resurrection conceived mindset to alter what resurrection power truly is.

Jesus gave the Disciples and gives to us some clear instructions to the 11 Disciples when he appeared to all of them at one time. It is hard to doubt as a group when you have the firsthand account. The Disciples were rebuked for their unbelief. However, the resurrection power and instruction were poured out upon them. They were commissioned to “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”(v15 & 16)

The instructions and commission carry forth to us this day. To be reprogrammed as the followers of Jesus and share what we have experienced and share it with others. I mean we don’t have a problem talking about our children, a great sporting event, a fun night out on the town, a vacation, why then are we resistant to talking about Jesus?

The Resurrection power gives us authority over evil, over death, over the things that are trying to harm us, my sincere prayer is that we claim it.