Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Mark 16:9-20)
Today's Morsel: The resurrection of Jesus Christ has confounded the minds of many. But it should not confound you, if you are born again. As the writer of Hebrews tells us, "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear"(Hebrews 11:3). It's through our faith that we believe in the resurrection of Christ. The Bible says that Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven devils. You see, Jesus always returns to those He's done thing for, because He knows they will believe and share with others the things He's done. Even Paul knew that He was risen when Jesus met him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). I've always believed in the Resurrection of Christ, but it was years later in my life that I learned the true meaning of the resurrection. Paul told the church at Corinth, "Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive" (1 Corinthians 15:12-22). I once was dead in my trespasses and sins, but Jesus quickened me and raised me up to walk in newness of life. Has He raised you?
Sing: He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today, He walks with me, and talks with me, along life's narrow way; He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart, you ask me how I know He lives; He lives, within my heart.
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