Day 39 | April 15
Day 39 | April 15 | Mark 16:9-14
By: Larry Fine
“It’s Too Good to be True!”
Mark tells of Christ’s appearance to the “eleven” following the resurrection. Christ had appeared to numerous believers. The eleven disciples who had been so close to Christ had yet to experience this reunion. The reports of a risen Christ seemed to the eleven like nonsense. In Mark 16:14, the faith of the eleven was put to the test. Christ was suddenly in their midst, and yet they doubted. Christ simply said: “Peace be with you”. The eleven were startled and frightened. Christ speaks, “Why are you frightened and why do you doubt”? He then showed them his hands and feet. Their reaction was still disbelief.
However, the eleven were filled with joy and amazement because they were with the one person they longed to see so desperately. How could there be any joy in doubting? It was as if doubting was a big band-aid being placed over the wound of losing their Messiah and friend to death on the cross. What were the eleven feeling in the presence of the risen Lord? IT IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE!
Do we twenty-first century disciples battle doubt? Christ said, “Because I go to the Father, if you will trust me, you may ask anything in my name, and I will do it”. Do we not often fear that God’s granting our prayer would be too good to be true? We think, “I have been so weak and failed so often! To expect God’s generous forgiveness and mercy is just too good to be true!”
The Bible offers scores of stories that tell us that nothing is so true as the assurance of God’s eternal love and good will to all. What is the truth? Christ took to the cross every human failure and sin. A believer’s failures and sin debts have been paid in full. Nothing is so true as God’s love and acceptance of each one of us as His Child, unconditionally.
Mark tells of Christ’s appearance to the “eleven” following the resurrection. Christ had appeared to numerous believers. The eleven disciples who had been so close to Christ had yet to experience this reunion. The reports of a risen Christ seemed to the eleven like nonsense. In Mark 16:14, the faith of the eleven was put to the test. Christ was suddenly in their midst, and yet they doubted. Christ simply said: “Peace be with you”. The eleven were startled and frightened. Christ speaks, “Why are you frightened and why do you doubt”? He then showed them his hands and feet. Their reaction was still disbelief.
However, the eleven were filled with joy and amazement because they were with the one person they longed to see so desperately. How could there be any joy in doubting? It was as if doubting was a big band-aid being placed over the wound of losing their Messiah and friend to death on the cross. What were the eleven feeling in the presence of the risen Lord? IT IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE!
Do we twenty-first century disciples battle doubt? Christ said, “Because I go to the Father, if you will trust me, you may ask anything in my name, and I will do it”. Do we not often fear that God’s granting our prayer would be too good to be true? We think, “I have been so weak and failed so often! To expect God’s generous forgiveness and mercy is just too good to be true!”
The Bible offers scores of stories that tell us that nothing is so true as the assurance of God’s eternal love and good will to all. What is the truth? Christ took to the cross every human failure and sin. A believer’s failures and sin debts have been paid in full. Nothing is so true as God’s love and acceptance of each one of us as His Child, unconditionally.
Recent
Archive
2023
February
March
Reveal | Day 8- March 2 | Psalm 115Reveal | Day 9- March 3 | Psalm 138Reveal | Day 10- March 4 | Psalm 145Reveal | Day 11- March 6 | Psalm 14Reveal | Day 12- March 7 | Psalm 24Reveal | Day 13- March 8 | Psalm 27:1-9Reveal | Day 14- March 9 | Psalm 43Reveal | Day 15- March 10 | Psalm 125Reveal | Day 16- March 11 | Psalm 127Reveal | Day 17- March 13 | Psalm 65Reveal | Day 18- March 14 | Psalm 103Reveal | Day 19- March 15 | Psalm 104Reveal | Day 20- March 16 | Psalm 107Reveal | Day 21- March 17 | Psalm 111Reveal | Day 22- March 18 | Psalm 136:1-9, 23-25Reveal | Day 24- March 21 | Psalm 32Reveal | Day 23- March 20 | Psalm 6Reveal | Day 25- March 22 | Psalm 51Reveal | Day 26- March 23 | Psalm 38Reveal | Day 27- March 24 | Psalm 130Reveal | Day 28- March 25 | Psalm 143Reveal | Day 29- March 27 | Psalm 7Reveal | Day 30- March 28 | Psalm 13Reveal | Day 31- March 29 | Psalm 26Reveal | Day 32- March 30 | Psalm 95Reveal | Day 33- March 31 | Psalm 139
2022
January
February
March
Kids Remodel - Update March 1The Garrett Chapel - March 1Day 1 | 40 Days through Mark Day 2 | 40 Days Through MarkDay 3 | 40 Days Through MarkDay 4 | 40 Days Through MarkSunday March 6 | 40 Days Through MarkDay 5 | 40 Days Through MarkDay 6 | 40 Days Through MarkDay 7 | 40 days Through MarkDay 8 | 40 Days Through MarkThe Garrett Chapel - March 10 UpdateKids Remodel - Update March 10Day 9 | 40 Days through MarkDay 10 | 40 Days Through MarkDay 11 | March 14 | Mark 5:35-6:6Day 12 | March 15 | Mark 6:7-29Day 13 | March 16 | Mark 6:30-44Day 14 | March 17 | Mark 6:45-56Day 15 | March 18 | Mark 7:1-23Day 16 | March 19 | Mark 7:24-37 By: Kasey JohnsonDay 17 | March 21 | Mark 8:1-21Day 18 | March 22 | Mark 8:22-33Day 19 |March 23 | March Mark 8:34 – 9:6Day 20 | March 24 | Mark 9:14-29Day 21 | March 25 | Mark 9:30-37. Day 22 | March 26 | Mark 9:38-50Day 23 | March 28Day 24 | March 29Garrett Chapel - finishing touchesKids Space - Main room, classesGymnasium FlooringDay 25 | March 30Day 26 | March 31
4 Comments
“Failures and sin debts, paid in full”, thankful for the reality of the Cross!
Thank you Larry. For the reminder. That my fears and doubts don’t change the Good News!! I am his!!
Thank you for the meditation on the appearance of Christ to the disciples. Sometimes the Gospel seems too good to be true. Praise the Lord for His Good Truth!
I love the thought that nothing is more true God’s love toward us!