PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 16:9-14
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“He rebuked them for their lack of faith.” (Mark 16:14)
What is it like to be rebuked by Jesus?
Is Jesus motivating them by guilt, or is he belittling them?
My assumption is that this rebuke, though real, is also gentle.
A rebuke from Jesus will seem different than a rebuke from anyone else.
It will impact the soul, but it will not damage the soul.
I have the same assumption about when Jesus called people to repent.
Notice how sinners were drawn to Jesus, even when he challenged them.
Though not the religious ones; they were too full of faith in themselves.
When we rebuke those with little faith, is it gentle?
When we call sinners to repent, does it drawn them graciously?
One day we will all stand before Jesus, and we will see into our souls.
He will rebuke us for our lack of faith, our stubborn refusal to believe.
But in his rebuke we will also sense his gentleness and welcoming grace.
And we will be drawn to him, and our souls will eagerly believe!
Unless, of course, we are too full of faith in ourselves.
PRAYER
Lord, I am not surprised by your rebuke; I am surprised by your grace and gentleness. I draws me closer, and makes me want to become whom you want me to be!
“he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.” We are like that aren’t we – we got to see it for ourselves – Jesus, show us one miracle – just one and then I’ll believe you! No we have to believe first – there is no other way! What else is there: eat drink be merry because tomorrow we die? Even understanding the whole drama of the Bible and understanding why Jesus had to come and die – is not enough. WE got to believe! I came to that point in my life and I laid myself on the line and reached out to Jesus – and my life has not been the same ever since! Thank you Jesus for you are real and alive today – help me to live and serve you as your follower!
Death.
When we die, when I die, nothing can change that – our dead condition.
Yet death was not victorious for Christ. He arose from the dead and before He ascended showed Himself Mary, the two men walking on the road and to the Eleven. He is risen as He had told them. Their eyes were opened. My eyes also need opening to see His presence every day. And I need also to tell how Jesus is alive in me by my words and deeds.
He is here. Emmanuel.
I serve a risen Savior
He’s in the world today.
I know that He is living,
Whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy;
I hear His voice of cheer;
And just the time I need Him
He’s always near.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.