March 31
Lesson 5 (KJV)
The Resurrection: Key to Faith
Devotional Reading: Exodus 14:10–14, 21–23, 26–31
Background Scripture: Mark 16
Mark 16:1–8
1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
2 And very early in the morning on the first day of the week, they came to the sepulcher at the rising sun.
3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulcher?
4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was great.
5 And entering the sepulcher, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment, and they were affrighted.
6 And he said unto them, Be not affrighted. Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He rises; behold, he is not here. Be the place where they laid him.
7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.
8 They went out quickly and fled from the sepulcher, for they trembled and were amazed. Neither said they anything to any man, for they were afraid.
Key Text
He saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.—Mark 16:6
Examining Our Faith
Unit I: Faithful vs. Faithless
Lessons 1–5
Lesson Aims
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Summarize the women’s encounter with the man at Jesus’ empty tomb.
2. Explain the significance of the time elements of the text.
3. Make a commitment not to allow fear to result in failure to speak up when doing so is necessary.
Lesson Outline
Introduction
A. Abrupt Endings
B. Lesson Context: Mark, the Man
C. Lesson Context: Mark, the Gospel
I. The Women (Mark 16:1–4)
A. Intention (v. 1)
B. Timing (v. 2)
C. Trouble (vv. 3–4)
II. The Messenger (Mark 16:5–8)
A. Angelic Appearance (v. 5)
B. Remarkable Report (vv. 6–7)
Great Expectations
C. Fearful Flight (v. 8)
Fleeing or Faith?
Conclusion
A. Singular Event
B. Vital Reality
C. Prayer
D. Thought to Remember
How to Say It
|
Arimathaea |
Air-uh-muh-thee-uh (th as in thin). |
|
Barnabas |
Bar-nuh-bus. |
|
Cleophas |
Klee-o-fus. |
|
Magdala |
Mag-duh-luh. |
|
Magdalene |
Mag-duh-leen or Mag-duh-lee-nee. |
|
Pontius Pilate |
Pon-shus or Pon-ti-us Pie-lut. |
|
Salome |
Suh-lo-me. |
|
Zebedee |
Zeb-eh-dee. |
|
What Do You Think? In what ways will you show devotion to the Lord, even if doing so requires personal discomfort? Digging Deeper How can you encourage that level of devotion among other believers? |
|
What Do You Think? In what ways has your faith been strengthened by an experience during a funeral service or at a cemetery? Digging Deeper How can your acts of comforting a grieving person strengthen your faith? |
|
What Do You Think? How would you respond to the claim that belief in the bodily resurrection of Jesus is nonessential for Christians? Digging Deeper How do John 20:24–25, 29; Acts 2:22–24; Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15; and 1 Peter 1:3–4 inform your response? |
|
What Do You Think? What is the significance of living in an “in-between” state when we have evidence of Jesus’ resurrection but have not yet seen Him personally? Digging Deeper How does John 20:24–25, 29 inform your answer? |
Conclusion
A. Singular Event
Today’s Scripture abruptly ends with a declaration of the women’s fear. If this were all we knew of the story, we would wonder what happened next. Praise God that we see the conclusion to this story—a story that continued with Jesus’ ascension to Heaven (Acts 1:1–9) and will culminate with His promised return to earth (Revelation 22:20).
The resurrection of Jesus is a singular event in history. It is distinct from other biblical resurrections (2 Kings 4:32–37; Luke 7:11–15; 8:49–56; John 11:38–44). Those were instances of the temporary restoration of physical life—temporary because all those people died again later. By contrast, Jesus's resurrection is permanent (Revelation 1:18a).
That permanence has vital implications. Death is God’s penalty for sin (Genesis 2:16–17; Romans 5:12), but now the risen Jesus holds “the keys of hell and of death” (Revelation 1:18b).
Another characteristic that sets Jesus’ resurrection apart from the others noted above is that His body was transformed, not merely resuscitated. After His resurrection, He appeared and disappeared in ways He had not done previously (Luke 24:31, 36, 51; John 20:19, 26), although He still had a physical body that other people could touch (Luke 24:37–43; John 20:27). The transformation of Jesus’ body prefigures the promised transformation of those who belong to Him when we are raised on the last day (1 Corinthians 15:42–57).
B. Vital Reality
From our vantage point, some 2,000 years later, the empty tomb is the universal image of Christ’s victory over death. The women who found the open tomb that morning had prepared themselves to be confronted with death. Instead, they were faced with the announcement of life.
The reality of death confronts all, and we make preparations for it. We help friends and family members with funeral planning. We purchase cemetery plots. But the best spiritual preparation is to let our thoughts dwell on resurrection life.
Jesus has promised that what He accomplished on that third day will also be accomplished in us when He returns. The power of life over death that He demonstrated for himself is the same power that will instantly and forever transform us (see Philippians 3:21). Jesus is Lord over death, having conquered it. That makes Him Lord over eternal life—our eternal life.
Therefore, as we prepare for death, we remember that “the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:26). Death is our enemy, but it is ultimately a defeated enemy. When Jesus returns, we will all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, death will be no more.
Consider the abrupt ending to verse 8 as an invitation to proclaim the good news of the resurrected Christ. The women at the tomb that morning ran in fear; our task today is to run in joy with the message of the empty tomb. May we ever proclaim Christ’s victory over death; may we never lose sight that His victory is also ours for eternity. Death could not permanently silence Jesus or obstruct God’s plan. Will fear to silence you from sharing this good news?
|
What Do You Think? How do you deal with feelings of fear that may arise when sharing the news of Jesus’ resurrection? Digging Deeper Who can you recruit as an accountability partner to encourage your faith? |
C. Prayer
God of resurrection, where there is death, You bring life. We hope for the day when we will experience resurrection and new life. In the meantime, encourage us when we cannot proclaim this good news. When fear overtakes us, keep us from forgetting that You are the source of life. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
D. Thought to Remember
Fear not—Jesus has risen!
Involvement Learning
Enhance your lesson with KJV Bible Student (from your curriculum supplier) and the reproducible activity page (at www.standardlesson.com or in the back of the KJV Standard Lesson Commentary Deluxe Edition).
Jason Hitchcock et al., “The Resurrection: Key to Faith,” in The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2023–2024, ed. Jane Ann Kenney, Ronald L. Nickelson, and Taylor Z. Stamps, vol. 71, The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary (Colorado Springs, CO: Standard Publishing, 2024), 271–272.
Comments