Lesson 3344

 (Lesson 3344)(02-28-21) Mark 16:17-20

     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.” 

    Today’s quote relates how a child of God should be recognized today. All the things listed are things we can achieve as believers, if we only have enough faith.

    It is important to note that the Matthew account of this same event, with Jesus and His apostles, does not relate these last four verses of today’s quote.~

Lesson 3343

 (Lesson 3343)(02-27-21) Mark 16:14-16

    “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.”

   Today’s quote is the Mark account of the events that are related in Matthew 28:19-20. The Mark account is slightly different to that of Matthew in that it relates that after Jesus had berated His apostles for not having believed that He had indeed risen from the dead, He  then gave them final instructions as to what they were to do after He was ascended.

    Jesus said, “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.

    Let’s parse this commandment. As we have already established in earlier lessons, the word “baptize” and it’s grammatical variations, simply mean to immerse into or overwhelm, one item by some particular substance, (in this instance, the amazing, saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ,) leaving the item inside the substance (in this instance, Spirit) permanently so as to accomplish a predetermined end (Rebirth). 

    In the quote, Jesus made it very clear that if a person does not “believeth”, that person WILL be “damned”. Notice that Jesus DID NOT say that a person who IS NOT baptized, will be damned.

    That is very important to remember because, as the two terms are applied in today’s quote, “baptized” and “believeth” are a reference to the exact same occurrence. When one “believes”, that one is reborn into the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ; And, when one is “baptized” into Christ (Reference Galatians 3:27, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”) , that one is equally reborn in the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ. Therefore, if one believes in Jesus Christ, he/she is also “baptized” into the embodiment of Jesus Christ.

    The usage of the word “baptized” that appeared in today’s quote, is NOT a reverence to water immersion. But rather, it is a reference to the soul saving baptism into Jesus Christ as referenced in Galatians 3:27.~

Lesson 3342

 (Lesson 3342)(02-26-21) Mark 16:8-13

    “And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid. 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.”

   Today’s quote relates how the apostles refused to believe Mary Magdalene and the others who had seen Jesus since He had arisen.

    Faith, like it is today, was also very rare in Jesus’ day.~

Lesson 3341

 (Lesson 3341)(02-25-21) Mark 16:1-7

    “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. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And 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.  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.”

   Today’s quote relates three of the most beautiful that were ever uttered, HE IS RISEN!~

Lesson 3339

 (Lesson 3339)(02-24-21) Mark 15:42-47

    “And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.”

    Today’s quote relates how Jesus was laid in a borrowed tomb. The Tomb was only “borrowed” because Jesus would soon vacate it to rise from the dead bringing eternal life to all who will believe in Him.~

Lesson 3338

 (Lesson 3338)(02-23-21) Mark 15:38-41

    “ And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God. There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.”

    Today’s quote tells us that the Roman soldier who stood guard as Jesus died on the cross, after hearing Jesus’ dying cry, believed and announced that Jesus was truly the Son of God.~

Lesson 3337

 (Lesson 3337)(02-22-21) Mark 15:26-37

    “And the superscription of his accusation was written over, The King Of The Jews. And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors. And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, Save thyself, and come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him. And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias. And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down. And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.”

    Today’s quote relates that, as Jesus hung suspended on the cross, the Jews continued to mock Him. They charged that if He was indeed the Messiah, He should bring Himself safely down. Jesus eventually gave up the ghost and died the ultimate death for all those who will come to believe in Him.

    It is important to note that Mark’s account of the crucifixion says that both the thieves who were crucified with Jesus also mocked and ridiculed Him, whereas the Matthew account relates the one of the thieves repented and was forgiven by Jesus.

    We should always take the differences in accounts into consideration as we analyze the meaning and intent of the New Testament. The disparity of content demonstrated in today’s quote has no bearing on either the meaning or intent of God’s word to usward; However, there are other examples that do have bearing and should be carefully considered as we study.~