10. THE UNBELIEVABLE RESURRECTION (
Mark.16:1-11)
BACKGROUND:
According to an old tradition, Mark was the interpreter of Peter; and his gospel was the life of Jesus as
seen though the eyes of Peter. One of the themes in this gospel is the lack of the disciples’ faith. Although Jesus had
predicted his death and resurrection three times beforehand, his disciples were very slow to believe it. Note that the
body of Jesus had already been anointed the day he died.
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Why did the women from Galilee insist on visiting the grave, in spite of the stone and the soldiers who (according to
Matthew) were guarding the grave (1-3)?
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The women had already witnessed the mishandled body of Jesus being anointed two days earlier. Why do you think they
wanted to anoint it one more time?
- Do you think you would have liked to see and touch the body of your loved one in that state?
- Only John had witnessed the death of Jesus; the others had fled the scene. Why didn’t they now come and visit the
grave of their master? (Do you think there is a difference between men and women in this respect? If so, what is it?)
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If the women had believed in the resurrection according to Jesus’ own prediction, how do you think they would have
behaved that Sunday morning (1-4)?
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What did the women think when they heard the words of the angel (6-7)?
- What were the women so terrified of (8)?
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Why did Jesus choose women as the first witnesses of his resurrection, in spite of the fact that they were not
accepted as witnesses in courts of law at that time (7, 10)?
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How and when was faith in Jesus’ resurrection born in the hearts of these women?
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Peter denied his Master two days earlier. What did it mean to him when Jesus sent him a special greeting (7)?
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Is there anything in your life that seems as impossible to you as a corpse rising again? (You can answer in your
heart.)
- How would you answer if Jesus rebuked you for your lack of faith as he rebuked his disciples in verse 14?
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What is the difference between the resurrection of the body (which is taught only in Christian faith) and the
immortality of the soul (which is a common belief in many religions)?
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If there wasn't any such thing as the resurrection of the body, what could Christianity offer to mankind?
- Suppose someone believed all the Christian teachings except the resurrection of the body. Why couldn’t we call him
a Christian?
GLAD TIDINGS:
When the disciples finally became convinced that Jesus had really and bodily risen from the dead, they
turned to his staunch witnesses. Most of them died as martyrs, refusing to give up their faith, no matter what. They
knew that Jesus would be with them forever, both in this world and the next.