Even though Jesus warned the disciples more than once about the future suffering He would endure, they still didn't get it (Matthew 16:21).
Despite
Christ’s warnings, His followers, like the rest of Israel, waited for a Messiah
with military might. The Israelites conquered other nations and entered the
Promised Land through war. Their history involved conquering and being
conquered. Centuries later, when the Romans ruled over their country they assumed
their long-awaited Messiah would rescue them through armed conflict.
The Master
Teacher tried to prepare His companions for what lay ahead. But they couldn’t
even stay awake to pray with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Mary Magdalene
was the first one Christ appeared to after the resurrection, and He gave her
the task of proclaiming the good news that He was alive.
She went to the
hidden followers and told them she had seen the Lord’s immortal body. They
still didn’t pay attention to this eyewitness.
When they
heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it. (Mark 16:11)
Here are 2 possible reasons they doubted Mary's report.
