Mark 16:9

Mark 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. After Jesus arose from the dead, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene. She had a very good reason to be upset by Jesus's death. He had cast seven devils out of her. This should teach us that there is no one that is beyond redemption when they put their faith in the resurrected Lord, Jesus Christ. Verse ten adds, And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. The disciples at that time were mourning and weeping when Mary Magdalene came to share the good news with them. She said Jesus was alive, and this is the message that we as followers of Christ have for the world today, and it is the most important message that we can proclaim. We as Christians have encountered the resurrected Lord spiritually, and we should have an urgent desire to share this good news with the world. Verse eleven continues, And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. When the disciples heard Mary Magdalene's report, they didn't believe her, and many people will not believe us when we share the gospel today, but that should not keep us from doing so. The disciples were those closest to Jesus, whom He had spent a lot of time preparing for His coming death, burial and resurrection, and yet when it happened, they still didn't believe it. Being around the church and even reading and being taught about the Bible is not going to save anyone. Only a personal relationship with Jesus Christ will. Verse twelve states, After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. Jesus next appeared in another form to two disciples who were out walking. They were not gathered together in a place of worship with other believers, and people can still encounter Jesus that way today. Jesus Christ does not appear to all who meet Him today in exactly the same way. We must accept by faith that Jesus is Who He says He is when He calls us to Him. Verse thirteen adds, And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. They also went and told the disciples and once again they refused to believe the report. In order to come to know Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, the reports of others are not enough. We must come to Him personally when He calls and accept Him as our Savior and Lord.