MARK 16 YE SHALL SEE HIM How is it possible to describe the penetrating of barriers that had always been thought to be impenetrable? The framework of human experience has created limitations that most people cannot get past. Yet there have been those who have perceived there are things we cannot see that are real. Medicines have been developed that can stop the effect of disease caused by virus and bacteria. Gravity cannot be seen but its effect is well known by everyone. Far-seeing scientists have put huge machines into space, not because they could see gravity, but they could see its effects. Christians who believe Jesus Christ rose from the dead have left unmistakable impressions on the world because they have faith in One, they have not seen but believe He is risen from the dead. To many the resurrection of Christ is an impossibility because they limit their thinking to what they have experienced. Huge airplanes carrying hundreds of tons of weight, rise on the unseen air and travel around the world carried on something that is real but unseen. When Christ rose from the dead, no one was there to observe the action. But the reality is seen in the evidence of millions of lives of human beings who have committed themselves to living their lives as Christ taught, and dying in the sure hope of being with Him. It was not the testimony of undisturbed grave-clothes that led the women to tell the news that Christ was risen - it was the absence of the body of Christ. Angel-messengers were seen and heard, but it was their message that thrilled the souls of those who came to honor Him.
They heard a message to them that was personal. "He is not here." "He goeth before you." Ye shall see Him." "He said to you." In a few words the fact of Christ's resurrection clarified that after resurrection there is personal knowledge of people and events. There are plans and activities in which to engage. There is interaction between people and God that is significant in carrying out God's will and work. Resurrection is the start of a whole new dimension of living. When those women saw the stone was rolled away, there was fear, sorrow and trembling - and at first silence. But hope was not dead and the whole experience led them to actually see the One in whom they had placed their faith - in His resurrected body. Christ had moved into a new kind of life. So we look forward to that ourselves. Our resurrected life will be real life, but different from anything we have experienced before. "We shall be with Him and like Him. for we shall see Him as He is."
The resurrection of Christ produced great changes in the disciples. Now, after His resurrection, they remembered what He told them before He was crucified. The truth of a kingdom much larger than Israel began to be real to them. There was a charge - a transfiguration of sorts, from being "conformed to this world" to being "transformed by the renewing of your mind." What happened to them because of seeing and hearing the resurrected Christ is to be the same thing to us. We are not to be "conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." The whole event of the cross-death of the Savior, and the glory of the resurrection, made life entirely different for them - and for us. "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" was Paul's motivation for being successful in life, and it should be the same with me.
The resurrection of Christ gave to the disciples, proof of the teaching He had given them over the years. Spiritual things are more important than physical things. Eternal things are more important than temporal things. The things of God take precedence over the things that men consider important. Holy things are more important than secular things. Love conquers even death itself. There was no question as to who Christ was before He died as far as the disciples were concerned. But after His resurrection they could see beyond their limited vision to the big picture of the kingdom of God. Thomas made it personal when he said, "My Lord and my God." The Lord Jesus Christ made it universal when He charged them with the commission to "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel." His authority is universal. He was faithful as a Servant. He was effective as a Teacher. He was compassionate as a Man. He was victorious as the Savior. We are now privileged to be called to serve Him "with reverence and godly fear."
At "the right hand of God" He sits with all authority as God. His redemptive work has been completed and is permanent. Nothing more can be done - nothing more should even be attempted. That would be an insult to the Lord Jesus Christ who on the cross said, "It is finished!" He is sitting there as the universal Sovereign whose reign will extend to the ends of the world - and we shall see Him in His glory!
"O Holy God, my Father, there is no way I can express what is in my heart right now when I think of the glory of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Everything that is happening in the world today is so insignificant compared to what happened that first day of the week. May this servant never lose sight of the fact that I represent a Living Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen." His body had been there, they had seen Him entombed, For the three days and three nights as He said. But early on the Lord’s Day, His body they sought, They still thought that Jesus was dead. True to His word, by the power of God, He was raised up from the sealed grave, The scriptures of truth plainly state, Believing on the risen Lord Jesus we are saved.
The great stone was rolled away, So those who came could see He was not there. It wasn’t that He vanished mysteriously,
Nor as a spirit, gone into the air. It was the same Person who came and was seen, By those women who traveled with Him before. When the “young man” told them Jesus had risen, They could see plainly that He was not there.
To Mary Magdalene first and then to the others, The Lord Jesus came to make Himself known. It was hard at first to believe it was He, But all believed when the wounds were shown. He is alive! The proofs are there, Hundreds saw Him alive after death. I believe! There is no question it’s true – I have come to know Him believing by faith.
“O heavenly Father, I do thank Thee Thou hast raised Him from the dead. I rejoice in a living Savior and the promise of His return. All praise to Thee! Amen.”