The Resurrection, What Now? – Mark 16:14-15

“The Resurrection, What Now?”
“Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat,
and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart,
because they believed not them which had seen him after he was
risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and
preach the gospel to every creature. ” Mark 16:14-15
With the victory over Japan in 1945, the United States
called for a complete and unconditional surrender. The
emperor of Japan signed the surrender on September 2, 1945.
In addition, Hirohito had to admit that he was not a god.
General MacArthur, for all intents and purposes, became the
ruler of Japan. He saw the spiritual vacuum and the need for
the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Japanese people were in
confusion after living so long under heathen beliefs.
MacArthur called for a thousand missionaries and a million
Bibles! Even this was not enough for seventy-one million
people! Some missionaries went. Bibles were sent and there
was some interest in Christianity for a while. Then things
began to turn around and the economy and industry became
their god.
After the victory of the resurrection, the disciples were in
unbelief and confusion. Peter and many of the disciples went
fishing. However, the need of the Gospel was greater than
ever. Jesus met with His disciples and called them back to
preaching the Gospel to every creature. Persecution would
come, Jerusalem would be leveled, but the Gospel did go out.
The world today is still engulfed in heathen religion. We
have just celebrated Christ’s resurrection. What now,
Christian? Spread the Gospel here and help the missionaries
over there! -C.S.

Prepared by Roger Fulk, from the “Baptist Bread” April 10, 2023 devotional by author CHRIS STAUB, Pastor, Silvery Lane Baptist Church, Dearborn Hts. MI. With permission from Tim Green, editor The Baptist Bread