Mark 16:12-13 12And after these things he appeared in another form to two of them as they were walking into the country. 13And after going back, they report to the rest, but they did not believe them. 14But later as the eleven were reclining at table, he appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen him after he had risen.
This story is a brief summary of Jesus appearing to the two people on the road to Emmaus given in Luke 24:13-35. The group of disciples had already received the good news from Mary Magdalene. These two unnamed disciples provide a second witness. Having two of them as witness was an even more powerful testimony to the truth of Jesus’ resurrection. A matter of truth could be determined by two witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15; Matthew 18:16). The disciples’ unbelief highlights not only their struggle evident throughout Mark’s Gospel and also serves as a warning to the reader of the type of response one should not give in response to Jesus. The now eleven disciples had all the evidence they needed to believe in Jesus’ resurrection. What was keeping them from accepting the good news about him?
Verse 14 gives several clues about their situation. Some people, like the eleven, need to see to believe. Jesus did not leave them wondering and cowering in fear and doubt but came to them in person, just as he had promised. The assumption is that this verse takes place in Galilee, where Jesus, and later the angel through the women, told them to go. They were eating when Jesus appeared to them. At least they were all together still as a group, so something was still happening in their minds. They had obeyed the instructions to go to Galilee. The spark of faith still existed and just needed to be fanned into a flame.
Jesus saw right through to their problem of unbelief and hardness of heart. They were going down the same trail as the religious officials and Judas. Their unbelief of his resurrection resulted in a hard heart, and their hard heart fed their unbelief. This cycle must be broken lest it destroy a person. Jesus stepped in and broke the hold of doubt in their life by the grace of appearing in their presence. Grace intervenes and overcomes sin, fear, and doubt and provides hope and assurance. The disciples needed grace.
For older posts, click here.