Mark 16:4-7
Introduction: The Cross and Jesus resurrection is at the core of the Gospel and it is our only hope. It is the truth that we can cling on in the face of death and uncertainty. As I prepare for this message, I' ve been reflecting on how life changing a reality of the resurrection is. I listed quotes of some of the well known Christian leaders then and now. They explored how the resurrection can be trusted as an historical event and how the resurrection changes everything.
Timothy Keller said: "If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that he said; if he didn't rise from the dead, then why worry about any of what he said? The issue on which everything hangs is not whether or not you like His teaching but whether or not he rose from the dead." Billy Graham mentioned: "There is more evidence that Jesus rose from the dead than there is that Julius Caesar ever lived or that Alexander the Great died at the age of 33. Martin Luther quoted: "Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime." Andrew Murray highlighted: "A dead Christ I must do everything for; a living Christ does everything for me."
Why is that Peter was specially mentioned here by the angel. Why is not John or Thomas or the other disciples? As we remembered in the preceding chapter what had happened before Christ was crucified at the cross. In chapter 14 of the book of Mark Jesus was predicting Peter's denial, we will see that starting from verse 27-31. You can see the scenario or the story line here: Jesus has predicted Peter's denial. Who is more accurate in telling the future than our Lord Himself? Who can really know what is the conditions of our heart than Him alone? For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
