Sunday School 4-16-06 Job 38(1), (4), (16-17), 42(1-2), (5), Mark 16(1-7), (9-14) (20)
JOB 38:1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
Out of the whirlwind
The word translated “whirlwind” means tempest, storm, or tornado. The imagery is that of a God of judgment. Job had been imploring God to answer for His actions. God is a God of love, but He also is a God of power and judgment. He is now demonstrating to Job and to his friends the magnificence and majesty of Jehovah.
38:4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. 38:16 Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?
Man’s understanding
If Job thinks he needs to understand Spiritual matters, what about some natural matters? I am reminded of the question Jesus asked Nicodemas: “John 3:12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?” How can Job expect to understand the eternal mysteries of God when he can’t figure out natural things? By the way, where were you when God created this wonderful world? Do you think he needs your advice on how to run the universe? The answer is simple: the one who built this place and our body knows best how to operate it! Some things happen which I cannot understand and dread with all my being, but I must yield to the wisdom and love of God. I must trust Him to make decisions for my good. I must follow and not try to lead!
38:17 Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?
Death
We think we understand death, but do we really? There is a certain amount of uncertainty and dread that accompanies thoughts of death. We know what God has revealed unto us in the Scripture, but we understand death as a blind man understands colors. His mind can understand the concept, but he has no experience with which to call upon to satisfy his curiosity. Incomplete knowledge causes doubt. Doubt causes fear. We need to trust God in every aspect of life; especially death!
42:1 Then Job answered the LORD, and said, 42:2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. 42:5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.
Visions of God
Have you ever noticed the reaction of human beings when they see visions of God? The Holiness and power of God always causes people to realize two things. First of all they notice the majesty of God is beyond their imagination. The second thing is they are always humbled themselves. Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, John the Revelator, and others all had the same reaction. These people only saw as much of God’s glory as He allowed them to see. Have you imagined what your reaction will be when you behold God for the first time in Heaven? We will see Him as He is! It will take a glorified body to withstand His wonder! Won’t you join me in reaching that glorious city with it’s wonders. The greatest wonder will be God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost!
Mark 16:1 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. 16:2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.
Order of Events on the 1st Easter morning (from Schofield’s Commentary) The order of events, combining the four narratives, is as follows: Three women, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and Salome, start for the sepulchre, followed by other women bearing spices. The three find the stone rolled away, and Mary Magdalene goes to tell the disciples. Luke 23:55-24:9; John 20:1,2. Mary, the mother of James and Joses, draws nearer the tomb and sees the angel of the Lord Matthew 28:2. She goes back to meet the other women following with the spices. Meanwhile Peter and John, warned by Mary Magdalene, arrive, look in, and go away John 20:3-10. Mary Magdalene returns weeping, sees the two angels and then Jesus John 20:11-18 and goes as He bade her to tell the disciples. Mary (mother of James and Joses), meanwhile, has met the women with the spices and, returning with them, they see the two angels. ; Luke 24:4,5; Mark 16:5. They also receive the angelic message, and, going to seek the disciples, are met by Jesus. Matthew 28:8-10.
16:3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? 16:4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.
Might come and anoint him.
This shows that they did not expect his resurrection. Some have accused the disciples and early Christians of putting forth a scam surrounding the resurrection. This is one of the proofs to the contrary. If they knew He was not dead, why on earth would they have traveled to the tomb to anoint His dead body? The latest religious craze has to do with this ridiculous theory. The novel called “the Davinci Code” surmises that Jesus survived the crucifixion and staged His resurrection. It would be a neat trick, but anyone with any sense knows this would be impossible. The Roman soldiers in charge of executions certainly could tell when a prisoner was dead. John recorded that when the Roman spear pierced His side out came “both blood and water.” Physicians know that this only occurs when a body is dead. If Jesus only swooned instead of died, He had to be a superman because He would have had to unwrap Himself from the grave clothes, roll a gigantic stone from the mouth of the tomb, walked to Gallilee on feet pierced by spikes, be recovered from wounds in His hands and His entire body received at the hands of the Roman soldiers. All of these feats would’ve had to be accomplished by a man who had just been crucified. Now to believe that ridiculous theory takes faith! It is an idiotic theory based on nothing but assumption and scurrilous speculation. It is intended only to reduce the faith of those seeking help in Christ. Don’t be fooled!
Anointing the body (from People’s New Testament Commentary)
The Jews were wont, as a mark of honor, to surround the body in the tomb with fragrant spices. Nicodemus (John 19:39, 40) had brought spices. Perhaps the women did not know this; perhaps they wished, in addition, to render their own loving service.
16:5 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.
Fear of angels
The appearance of angels throughout the Bible almost always causes fear to those they appear to. The reason is simple. The majesty of angels is beyond our experience. They are mighty in appearance and holy in nature. God created them to reflect His glory. Think about this for a minute: if we think angels are something, wait until we get to see the fellow who created them. Angels are only created beings; messengers of God. The Great God Jehovah who spoke them into existence must be beyond spectacular. I often think of the words to that old hymn; “Oh, I want to see Him, look upon His face!”
16:6 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.
Why the stone was rolled away
It has been said often, but I must say it again; the stone was not rolled away to let Jesus out, but to let us in. Jesus has all power in heaven and earth. He could’ve gone through the stone or just simply have rolled it out of the way, but God rolled that stone away because this thing was not “done in a corner.” Christians must have faith, but God does not require blind faith. Jesus is risen and the empty tomb is the proof. Think with me for a minute; the religious leaders in Jerusalem definitely did not want the rumor of Jesus’ resurrection getting started. If the disciples had just planted this empty tomb story, why wouldn’t the Pharisees and Sadducees have presented His dead body? Why didn’t they just take people out to the sepulcher and stop all this nonsense? They reason is simple; they didn’t do that because they couldn’t! He is risen! I say the same to modern atheists. If Jesus isn’t real, why do I feel His influence in my soul? Why do people seek Him when they are in trouble and have no where else to go? Why do souls receive comfort by speaking to Him through prayer? Why did the disciples go to their death for a lie? Why would they give up their own dreams of earthly accomplishment to go around preaching a falsehood? They wouldn’t! The reason is because the tomb is empty!
16:7 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.
And Peter
I have often said these are some of the most gracious words ever spoken by anyone. Tell the disciples “and Peter.” Peter had bragged about his fidelity on the night of our Lord’s arrest and Jesus revealed to him that he would deny our Lord three times. Peter was sure he would never fail his Lord in that manner, but that’s exactly what happened. Peter must’ve felt as if he was as guilty as Judas. How could the Lord ever forgive him for his cowardice? Our Lord’s ways are higher than our ways; His thoughts higher than our thoughts. His mercy and graciousness are past our finding out! Oh, how merciful and gracious He is! He has forgiven me so many times and yet when I fail Him again, He always forgives and accepts. When man has given up on us; Jesus is still at our side! Thanks be to God for His wonderful ways!
16:9 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.
Mary Magdalene (from
Smith’s Bible Dictionary)
Different explanations
have been given of this name; but the most natural is that she came from the
town of
Magdala.
She appears before us for the first time in (Luke
8:2) among
the women who "ministered unto him of their substance." All appear to have
occupied a position of comparative wealth. With all the
chief motive was that of gratitude for their deliverance from "evil spirits
and infirmities." Of Mary it is said specially that "seven devils went out of
her," and the number indicates a
possession of more than ordinary malignity. She was present during
the closing hours of the agony on the cross. (John
19:25)
She remained by the cross till all was over, and waited till the body was
taken down and placed in the garden sepulcher of Joseph of
Arimathaea,
Mary Magdalene
I want to mention a couple things about Mary Magdalene for your understanding. First of all she is almost always pictured in movies and other carnal literature as being a prostitute. There is absolutely no Biblical basis for such an accusation. She was delivered by Jesus of demon possession, but that does not mean she was a prostitute. I am not saying she wasn’t one; I’m saying there is no evidence to that point. She also is claimed by the Mormons and other cults to be the wife of Jesus. (Early Mormons leaders, including Joseph Smith, claimed Jesus was a polygamist married Mary Magdalene, Mary of Bethany, and her sister Martha) There is also absolutely no basis for such a claim. Our Lord did not come to this earth to marry and have children; He came to die. He did not have marital relations with Mary Magdalene or anyone else for that matter.
16:10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 16:11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.
Unbelief
The disciples should have been looking for Him. He has clearly told them of the resurrection, but they did as we often do, they assumed He was talking of some hidden, Spiritual thing. A lot of the organized church is as guilty today. They have spiritualized the idea of Christ’s second coming. They assume He meant something else, but the meaning is clear. Jesus will come again to rapture His church and judge the nations. Are you ready for His return?
16:12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. 16:13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.
The Emmaus road
A more detailed account of this event can be found in Luke 24(13-35.)
16:14 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.
Jesus meets with His disciples and others (from Schofield’s Reference Bible notes)
The order of our Lord's appearances would seem to be: On the day of his resurrection:
(1) To Mary Magdalene John 10:14-18.
(2) To the women returning from the tomb with angelic message Matthew 28:8-10.
(3) To Peter, probably in the afternoon Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5.
(4) To the Emmaus disciples toward evening Luke 24:13-31.
(5) To the apostles, except Thomas Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-24. Eight days afterward:
(1) to the apostles, Thomas being present John 20:24-29. In Galilee: (1a) To the seven by the Lake of Tiberias John 21:1-23.
(2) On a mountain, to the apostles and five hundred brethren 1 Corinthians 15:6. At Jerusalem and Bethany again:
(1) To James 1 Corinthians 15:7.
(2) To the eleven Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:14-20; Luke 24:33-53; Acts 1:3-12.
To Paul:
(1) Near Damascus Acts 9:3-6; 1 Corinthians 15:8
(2) In the temple Acts 22:17-21; 23:11.
To Stephen outside Jerusalem Acts 7:55.
To John on Patmos Revelation 1:10-19.
16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Evangelizing the world
Jesus commanded the Apostles to teach everywhere and they obeyed this commandment.
This movement called Christianity started in a very small strip of land in a nondescript area of the world, led by a prophet without any political or social connections, and propagated to the world by a bunch of fishermen with no idea how to start a religious revolution. Let me show you what one of the greatest Jewish rabbis of all time said about this movement. Acts 5:34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; 5:35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. 5:36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. 5:37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. 5:38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: 5:39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. Gamaliel knew if this thing was in God’s will it could not stopped and if it was man’s program, it could not succeed. It succeeded beyond what anyone could have expected. Christianity is the largest religion in the world. It has affected the world more than any other movement. It is from God and about God and how to get to God. Have you made peace with God? If not, why not today?
New Living Translation (to be used as a commentary only)
38:1 Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind: 38:4 “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. 38:16 “Have you explored the springs from which the seas come? Have you walked about and explored their depths? 17 Do you know where the gates of death are located? Have you seen the gates of utter gloom? 42:1 Then Job replied to the Lord:42:2 “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.42:5 “I had heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.
Mark 16:1 The next evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene and Salome and Mary the mother of James went out and purchased burial spices to put on Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on Sunday morning,* just at sunrise, they came to the tomb. 3 On the way they were discussing who would roll the stone away from the entrance to the tomb. 4 But when they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone—a very large one—had already been rolled aside. 5 So they entered the tomb, and there on the right sat a young man clothed in a white robe. The women were startled, 6 but the angel said, “Do not be so surprised. You are looking for Jesus, the Nazarene, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He has been raised from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. 7 Now go and give this message to his disciples, including Peter: Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died!” 9 It was early on Sunday morning when Jesus rose from the dead, and the first person who saw him was Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom he had cast out seven demons. 10 She went and found the disciples, who were grieving and weeping. 11 But when she told them that Jesus was alive and she had seen him, they didn’t believe her.12 Afterward he appeared to two who were walking from Jerusalem into the country, but they didn’t recognize him at first because he had changed his appearance. 13 When they realized who he was, they rushed back to tell the others, but no one believed them.14 Still later he appeared to the eleven disciples as they were eating together. He rebuked them for their unbelief—their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. 20 And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked with them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.
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PASTOR RICK BARCUS
