Mark 16 - 2012.06.07

ALONE! (III)

“So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.” — Mark 16:19

There is much in this chapter that would lend itself to our purpose and is worthy of our meditation, but there is here one more aspect of the Savior’s “alone-ness” that seems to surpass them all, so we continue with that theme and on this note conclude our quest for “nuggets” in the gospel of Mark.

As we follow the Son of God through chapters 14 and 15 we are taken to the depths of His solitary journey, one He made “alone” because there were in all creation no others who could make it with Him. No one else was qualified, no one else had anything to contribute to the task He was undertaking. He, alone, endured the cross, “despising the shame” and the desperate solitude it required.

But, the writer of Hebrews concurs with the author of this gospel: Having “[despised] the shame, [He is] set down at the right hand of the throne of God [Heb. 12:2].” In our emphasis in chapters 14 and 15, He is alone in what has all the appearance of tragedy. Emerging from the tomb and whatever transpired in the three days prior, the Son of God experiences a new solitariness; a solitary triumph that has no parallel in earth or heaven. He, alone, sits “at the right hand of the Majesty on high [Heb. 1:3],” occupying as “the last Adam” the highest position in earth or heaven.

Condescending to become “sin for us” in order to save us from our sins, He is now and forever “exalted” on high, having conquered at an immeasurable price sin and death, and hell and its grand master. Now—

“…we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man [Heb. 2:9].”

ALONE

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage [Heb. 2:14]”

ALONE

The triumphant consequence is best described by the Spirit inspired apostle: 

“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father [Phil. 2:8-11].”

ALONE!!

We bring nothing but faith to our salvation, and even that is “the gift of God!” (Cf. Eph. 2:8) Our “religion,” our “good works,” contribute not one iota to our salvation. We have nothing to bring to the cross but the ragged ruins of our old sin nature, the refuse inherited from of the first Adam and confirmed by our own sin and rebellion. Eternal life is not earned nor obtained by any merit whatsoever on our part. It flows down from the “river of life” He opened for us when He volunteered for Calvary—alone!

What can you and I return for “so great salvation?” We can trust Him for the redemption He paid so much to provide. And, by the same grace that saves us, we can obey His will, as revealed in His word, to make our lives a thank-offering for the incredible journey He made to set us free. And, like the “four and twenty elders,” let us “fall down before Him that [sits] on the throne, and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever, saying, Thou art worthy, O LORD, to receive glory and honor and power…” (Rev. 4:10-11)

Lifted up was He to die;

“It is finished!” was His cry;

Now in Heav’n exalted high.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

"Pastor" Frasier