Unlimited: Jesus Rebukes The Eleven | Good News Unlimited
Unlimited: Jesus Rebukes the Eleven
Sep 17, 2024 1280
Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen (Mark 16:14, NIV).
Mark continues to recount the list of the initial eyewitnesses to the resurrection of Christ.
Finally, he appeared to the eleven. What does he say to them?
The disciples didn’t believe Jesus when he told them that he would rise again. The disciples haven’t believed Mary Magdalene when she told them that she had met with the risen Lord. They haven’t believed the other women. The disciples haven’t believed the report of the other two followers of Jesus who had met him on the road to Emmaus.
This is why the Lord’s first words when he personally appears to them in the upper room are to rebuke them for their lack of faith, and for their stubborn refusal to believe.
What does Rebuke means in this story?
The words which Mark uses here are very strong. The word “rebuked” is the same word that Mark uses to describe how Jesus was mocked at the cross. It literally means that Jesus “threw it into their teeth.” The work translated here as “stubborn refusal” literally means “hardness of heart.”
When his own disciples don’t believe the Good News, after all the evidence, it’s serious business for Jesus!
The Lord rebuked his disciples for stubbornly refusing to believe those who had brought them the Good News.
It’s so important!
– Eliezer Gonzalez
Eli’s Reflection: The Lord will send his messengers into your life, again and again, bringing you the Good News of Calvary and the resurrection. When will you understand? When will you believe it? He has revealed himself to you! See and believe!
