Mark 16:14 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.
Commentary:
One often closes a story or book with a summary of the key points and issues. Christ in his final contact with His disciples prepares to give them the Great Commission. In Mark 16:10, Mary Magdalene tells the Disciples of seeing the risen Christ. “She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping.” Christ admonishes them not for their misunderstandings, denials or other sinful responses but for two things:
- their lack of faith; and
- their stubborn refusal to believe an eye witness.
This is how Christ holds each person responsible; their individual profession of faith; and how they respond to the Christian witness. Each of us is only asked to present the Gospel’s message of salvation and how Christ changed our own lives. Those who hear our witness will be held accountable for their individual acceptance (faith) and how they respond to hearing our message (eye witness).