Nobody Believed Them

Read aloud

These verses belong to Mark's longer ending. As the BSB footnote explains, some early manuscripts end at verse 8. We read this passage alongside the other resurrection accounts, which tell more about the events summarized here.

Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had driven out seven demons. She takes the news to His followers, who are mourning and weeping. They hear that He is alive and that she has seen Him, but they do not believe it.

Then two followers encounter Him while walking in the country. They report it to the rest and are not believed either. Finally Jesus appears to the Eleven while they are eating. He rebukes their unbelief and hardness of heart because they refused the testimony of those who had seen Him alive.

Their grief is real, but Jesus does not treat their refusal as harmless. He calls them to receive the truth about His resurrection. Love can include correction when we resist what we need to believe.

The other Gospels help us see that correction more fully. John describes Mary meeting Jesus and carrying His message. Luke tells of the road to Emmaus and of Jesus opening His disciples' understanding of Scripture. He gives them reason to believe that the Christ had to suffer and rise, then sends witnesses to proclaim repentance and forgiveness.

The risen Lord deals with slow hearts by bringing them to the truth about Himself. We can come with questions and ask for understanding. We also need willingness to receive an answer that changes what we think.