Mark 16:14 Disciples’ Literal New Testament (DLNT) And later He appeared to the eleven themselves while they were reclining-back [to eat]. And He reproached [reprimanded] their unbelief and hardness-of-heart because they did not believe the ones having seen Him arisen.

I chose the DLNT for this devotional for one specific reason. Other version simply state as they were eating or eating at a table but the Greek word used is much more revealing than just having dinner.

Anakeimai – to recline (as a corpse or at a meal)

If you look at unbelief and hardness of heart in the context of a corpse it brings into mind the issues of reverting back to the grave, dead in your sins, and dead faith. It is a lax attitude which was as far from the teachings of our Lord to these disciples as you can get.

If you have a recliner, kick back and relax, get all the way back. Now, imagine Jesus walking into the room.

Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Here are eleven men who heard our Lord tell them He was going to rise from the dead and when the first witnesses reported seeing Jesus they kicked back in their recliners and fed their faces. The image is not one of being exactly ready is it?

Now let us move forward two thousand years or so and address those who have heard the Word, been taught all the things that Jesus said and did and yet are Anakeimai, reclined as a corpse, dead in your sins, not having exercised any faith towards Jesus. When Jesus comes, don’t bother trying to get up, it’s too late. His next coming isn’t going to be to rebuke disciples.

Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

People get ready.

Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

Forgive my Outlander inference. In researching various translations of James the less, of which there are as many opinions as there are Mary’s, I found this. That this James might have been the youngest boy of this Mary that was “afar off”. Hence the Scottish tradition of distinguishing the ages of boys. Wee being of a very young age, young Jamie as being perhaps a teenager and then James followed by all his given names indicating manhood.

The speculations of which James is which in reference to the father is customary but this James is linked to the mother which is different and more difficult. Without the father’s name who can say for sure because of so many Mary’s found in the company of believers.

The only hint of obscurity I can put my finger to here is their placement in the back of the theater. Mary the mother of Jesus was close enough so that Jesus could speak to her personally and give the apostle John to be her son. (John 19:26)

To make things even more difficult in the use of names by reference, I found comments which indicated that it was believed that Mary, the mother of Jesus, had a sister named Mary. That would only add to the confusion. Even theologians, trying to be frankly honest have written, “I don’t know but I choose to believe…” This brings my issue into focus.

What do you have to settle in your own mind in order to let go of unimportant issues that others insist on defining in order to elevate their reputation?

Which Mary and which James matters not here and changes nothing of the true significance of Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension.