Mark 16:12-16
“AFTER that He appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.” vv. 12, 13.
The two to whom the Lord appeared in this reference were en route from Jerusalem to the little village of Emmaus, about an eight-mile walk. They too were saddened by all the events of the past three days and were perplexed by the reports that they had heard that day about the Lord’s resurrection. They talked tether along the way about these things. Jesus graciously joined them, but concealed His identity until they constrained Him to accept the hospitality of their home. There He made Himself known to them, before vanishing from their sight.
It is a wonderful thing to open our homes to the Lord—to let Him have first place there. He is pleased to honor such faithfulness and will draw us closer to Himself when this is done in sincerity.
One of these, we know from Luke’s account, was Cleopas. This couple walked all the way back to Jerusalem that very night to tell the others of their wonderful experience, but as we are told, “neither believed they them.”
“Afterward He appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen Him after He was risen.” v. 14.
Friend, do you believe what you have been told about Jesus? Does the account of His sufferings even unto death, His love expressed to you on the cross and His resurrection from the grave, convey belief or disbelief in your own heart? You have heard the gospel story, perhaps many times over and yet have not actually believed it as applying to your own personal need. Do give solemn though to God’s Word, which says: “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” 1 John 5:10, 11.
We should bear in mind that in none of the gospels is an attempt made to give a full account of Jesus manifesting Himself after His resurrection. Each gospel recites some of His appearances, followed by a further account in the opening verses of the first chapter of Acts, where we learn that He showed Himself to the apostles forty days. Further knowledge of His appearances to faithful witnesses is given in the early verses of 1 Corinthians 15. There is no record that any unbelievers saw Him after His resurrection and quite likely they did not do so. The period of His service here to mankind had terminated. He had been rejected and crucified. The work now was committed to His followers.
“And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” vv. 15, 16. Thus started a great ministry carried on to this day into the far corners of the world.
“The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.” Psalm 68:11.
Memory Verse: “FAITH COMETH BY HEARING, AND HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD.” Romans 10:17.
ML-07/19/1964