Gospel Of Mark Lent Readings Day 39: Mark 16:9-14

This Bible passage forms part of our Lent reflections series on the gospel of Mark. We offer these gospel readings as an aid to your devotions and invite you to meet Jesus of Nazareth anew through these timeless texts. Featuring original music by Our Healing Space. Text taken from the World English Bible (public domain).

Transcript

Now when he had risen early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, From whom he had cast out seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him, As they mourned and wept. When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, They disbelieved. After these things he was revealed in another form to two of them, As they walked on their way into the country. They went away and told it to the rest. They didn't believe them either. Afterward he was revealed to the eleven themselves as they sat at the table, And he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, Because they didn't believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

Reviews

On this penultimate day of the series and Lent, I am brought back to the salient point of what it means to remain steadfast in having faith in God and all that is possible through God. I am imagining how Mary Magdalene may have felt to have faith in what she saw and yet not be believed by Jesus's disciples. So, when Jesus appears to the disciples and rebukes them for their hardness of heart, I can understand how difficult it is to maintain the faith when we are challenged by circumstances and clouded by the automatic thoughts of judgement. And yet, this story is a testament to keep the faith in the greatness of God nonetheless.