The Resurrection Call

Mark 15:40-16:8

15:40 There were also women watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 In Galilee these women followed him and took care of him. Many other women had come up with him to Jerusalem.
42 When it was already evening, because it was the day of preparation (that is, the day before the Sabbath), 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Sanhedrin who was himself looking forward to the kingdom of God, came and boldly went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’s body. 44 Pilate was surprised that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had already died. 45 When he found out from the centurion, he gave the corpse to Joseph. 46 After he bought some linen cloth, Joseph took him down and wrapped him in the linen. Then he laid him in a tomb cut out of the rock and rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were watching where he was laid.

16:1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they could go and anoint him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they went to the tomb at sunrise. 3 They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance to the tomb for us? ” 4 Looking up, they noticed that the stone — which was very large — had been rolled away.
 5 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side; they were alarmed. 6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he told them. “You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they put him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there just as he told you.’ ”
 8 They went out and ran from the tomb, because trembling and astonishment overwhelmed them. And they said nothing to anyone, since they were afraid.

GOING DEEPER
Parallel, Related and Referenced Passages
Parallel Accounts: Mt. 27:55-28:7; Lk. 23:49-24:8; Jn. 19:38-20:1
 
1) THE GOSPEL IS FOR PEOPLE LIKE US

• John 19:38–42 — Joseph; a secret disciple who later acts boldly.
• Luke 8:1–3 — Women who supported Jesus and His ministry.
• Romans 5:6–8 — Christ died for us while we were still sinners.

2) THE GOSPEL CALLS FOR A RESPONSE

• Romans 10:9–13 — Confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection.
• John 20:31 — The purpose of the written testimony about Jesus.
• 2 Corinthians 5:15 — Christ died and rose so that we might live for Him.

Don't Be Afraid

• Hebrews 2:14–15 — Jesus frees us from slavery to the fear of death.
• Romans 4:24–25 — Jesus was raised for our justification.
• 1 Corinthians 15:17–22 — The resurrection means victory over sin and death.

Look and See

• John 20:24–31 — Thomas is invited to see and believe.
• Acts 1:3 — Jesus presented Himself alive with many convincing proofs.

 
Go and Tell

• Matthew 28:18–20 — The Great Commission.
• 2 Corinthians 5:18–20 — Entrusted with the ministry and message of reconciliation.
• 1 Corinthians 1:27–29 — God uses what the world considers weak and insignificant.

 
Move Forward

• John 21:15–19 — Jesus restores Peter and recommissions him to follow.
• 1 John 1:9 — Confessing our sins and receiving God's forgiveness.
• Ephesians 4:22–24 — Put off the old self; put on the new.
• Philippians 3:13–14 — Forgetting what lies behind and pressing forward.
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 — Anyone in Christ is a new creation.

 
Come Together

• Hebrews 10:24–25 — Not neglecting to meet together.
• Galatians 6:2 — Bear one another's burdens.
• Ephesians 4:15–16 — The body of Christ growing together.

 
Follow Him into Everyday Life

• Col. 3:17, 23-24 — Doing everything as unto the Lord.
• Romans 12:1–2 — Offering our lives as living sacrifices.

 
Live for Him

• Galatians 2:20 — Christ lives in me.
• John 15:4–5 — Abiding in Christ and depending on Him.
• Galatians 5:16–25 — Walking by the Spirit.

CONSIDER

1. What do Joseph of Arimathea, the women, and the other disciples reveal about the kinds of people Jesus calls to follow Him?

2. Why is the resurrection essential? What would be different if Jesus had gone to the Cross but remained in the grave?

3. Where do you most identify with the people in this passage: Joseph's mixture of fear and boldness, the women's struggle to trust Jesus' promises, or the disciples' failure and shame? Why?

4. Is there an area of your past where you know Jesus offers forgiveness, but you are still struggling to move forward? What makes that difficult?

5. What is one promise of God you need to bring to bear on a difficult circumstance you're facing right now?

6. Who in your life needs to hear the good news of Jesus and the hope of His grace? How might you share it with them?

7. What is one practical way you can live out your faith in the ordinary places of life this week: at home, at work, or in your relationships?