Sabbath: The Risen Lord
Daily Lesson for Sabbath 21st of September 2024
Image © Pacific Press
Read for This Week’s Study: Mark 15:42-47, Mark 16:1-20, Colossians 2:10-12, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, Daniel 9:24-27, John 20:11-18.
Memory Text:
“But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him’ ” (Mark 16:6, NKJV).
The crucifixion of Jesus destroyed the hopes and faith of His disciples. It was a dark weekend for them as they not only grappled with their Master’s death but feared for their own lives, as well (John 20:19).
In Mark 16:1-20, the final chapter in this Gospel, we will look at what followed His death.
First, we will look at the timing of Jesus’ resurrection and why the women came to the tomb on that Sunday morning. Adventists have sometimes shied away from resurrection morning because of the way it is misused to support Sunday sacredness. We will instead see how we can rejoice in the Sunday resurrection, despite the false theology that has, unfortunately, arisen from it.
Second, the lesson explains the first verses of Mark 16:1-20, linking these words to a theme that runs through the entire book. Our studies on Monday and Tuesday will look at these concepts.
Third, Wednesday and Thursday will examine the rest of Mark 16:1-20 and consider the mission it sets before us. This study will close with a challenge to the reader of Mark to take the gospel throughout the world.
*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, September 28.
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As a physics teacher, I have spent a lot of time teaching students about electricity. I have shown them the current flow using ammeters and potential differences using voltmeters. I have amazed and frightened some with huge flaming sparks of ionised gas using electricity. But, I have never had electricity that I could show to my students and say, "Hey! Here is a piece of electricity." All I have been able to do is show and measure the effects of electricity.
When it comes to the crunch, there is little physical evidence that Jesus rose from the grave. I know we talk about the empty tomb and have lots of arguments about who moved the stone and so on. But while such arguments may help us, they carry little weight for today's modern skeptical mind.
If we want to prove to the world that Jesus is risen, the effect of that resurrection must be seen in the lives of those who claim he is risen. Nobody doubts that electricity exists because they can see its effect when it powers lights and drives motors. And in the same way, the risen Saviour should power our lives.
If electricity had been used in Jesus day may be his advice would have been: "Let your 'electric' light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." The power of the risen saviour should be evident in the way we interact with others; even the ones we don't like!
There is no power in a dead Savior, or even an empty tomb, if indeed Christ isn't risen. Could the apostles have somehow snuck past the Roman soldiers, and somehow silently rolled away the stone, they would still have to figure out a way to smuggle Christ's dead body past those soldiers. There's just no way they would be able to spread Christianity as it did, based upon a lie. Neither would they be willing to die martyrs deaths for something that they knew to be a lie. There is no power in a lie to change cowardly and fearful people into loving, serving, bold and courageous apostles. The post resurrection apostles were visibly different individuals because they had visibly interacted with their resurrected Leader. The same opportunity for change and empowerment is available to us, His modern day disciples. We serve a risen Savior, not a dead one. Calvary wasn't the end of the story. Aren't you glad? I certainly am.
I sometimes wish that Jesus would have appeared to the High Priest, Pilate, and Herod after His resurrection just to freak them out. Though I'm sure that they were shaking in their sandals when they got the news.
That's so true,can't say anything more .
Happy new week.
John 1:1-8 – vs.4, 5, 6, 8
”In Him was Life, and that Life was the Light of all mankind.
The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God whose name was John.
He himself was not the Light; he came only as a witness to the light.”
We are all called to be 'a witness to the Light' within us. This Light is not our Light, it is God's heavenly Light at work in us - motivating us, causing us to bring forth the fruit of the Spirit to testify to the Light within.
Guided by heavenly Light and obedient to it - this is how Jesus lived His life. Because of His unyielding faith in the Father whom He loved, our heavenly Father resurrected Him to become our Mediator, Lord and Savior.
Jesus taught us that believing, having faith in God as we live according to His Word, is because of the Light of Life within us. By faith we accept Jesus Christ to be the evidence of God's Grace to forgive mankind its sin - raising Him to be the first fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Our heavenly Father honored Jesus' requested to give us the Holy Spirit as well, producing in the believer the same fruit as it did in His Son. All who come to Him, believing in Him through His Son Jesus, He gives the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Now, this powerful, life-giving Light, can 'shine' in the life of the believer in the same way it manifested itself in Jesus' life. The Light shining through us is not ours, it is the gift of God to lighten our path to walk rightly and humbly with our God. Without the Holy Spirit - the true, heavenly Light - we can effect nothing.
Is it possible for someone to walk with Jesus and still be entirely lost? What is the role of the Savior in my life? What does a crucified God mean to me?
Yes, Judas was one of the 12 disciples. He betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. When he realized what he had done, he hang himself. (Matthew 27:3-5). Judas didn't trust that Jesus would forgive him of his sin.
The role of the Savior in our life.
Jesus's sacrifice saves us from sin and the consequences of our sins. His Atonement makes it possible for us to repent and be forgiven.Jesus's teachings guide our lives and lead us to lasting happiness. Jesus sets the perfect example for us to follow.Jesus offers us hope, peace and strength in times of trials. Read the four gospels in the new testament
Matthew,Mark,Luke,John about the ministry of Jesus.
JC. Thank you for your thoughts and the questions that we must ask ourselves. May they be our thoughts AND prayers as we contemplate the most important decisions we can make: being who we decide to follow/worship that ultimately decides our eternal destiny.
JC Zielak
I do not think it is possible to be lost if you are truly walking with Jesus. If you have to ask what the role of the Savior is in your life you are not talking to him. Only you can answer what a crucified Jesus means to you salvation?
Yes! Indeed i have hope that Jesus was resurected from the grave as well as those who follow faithfully to Jesus amidst of thier weaknesses can have that victory even though we die we have hope in Hi,, Christ the hope of Glory...