Hearing Should Be Believing

Post-Easter, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and later to two of his disciples. They in turn reported what they saw to the apostles. Mark 16 tells us the apostles did not believe their testimony. When Jesus finally appeared to the Eleven, "he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen" (v.14). Jesus taught about his death and resurrection to the apostles on multiple occasions but yet when it actually happened they did not believe in the testimony of others and were rebuked. Apparently, hearing was not enough to cause belief. For the Apostles, seeing was believing.

Jesus Appears to the Disciples After the Resurrection
by Imre Morocz

Jesus continues in verses 15-18, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” Jesus is now telling the Church that certain things will happen with believers. We have the testimony of countless Christians who are experiencing signs and wonders in their lives. Just like the Eleven, we have a choice of whether to embrace the words of our Lord and the testimonies of the saints or face rebuke for our stubborn refusal to believe. Eventually, the apostles get it right and start doing the stuff. I pray the Church may listen and do the same.

"After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it." Mark 16:19-20