Resurrection

Easter Sunday

Mark 16:1-8

The Sabbath was over, and the women made preparations to anoint the body of Jesus. The unseemly hast prior to the Sabbath had enabled Jesus to be taken down from the cross, but not for proper treatment of the body. As soon as they were able the three women went to the tomb. For them the Sabbath must have seemed unusually long. They were not looking for a day of rest, they were focussed on the task ahead of them. Until the Sabbath was over they were unable to complete that task.

As soon as they could they made their way to the tomb. Having obtained the necessary spices they were now considering the next obstacle – the stone that had been placed across the tomb.

Imagine their surprise when they found that the stone had already been rolled away! We learn nothing of their reaction to finding the stone already moved, but Mark writes that they entered the tomb, and encountered ‘a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.’ (16:5). Given all that had transpired, and what must have already been a vulnerable state of mind, it is not surprising. Expecting to find a barrier, there was none. What did they expect to see when they entered the tomb? A dead body perhaps or maybe an empty tomb. Instead they found a living being in a white robe.

This being was a messenger, in Greek messenger is ‘angellos’ or angel, but Mark does not describe him in those words. This young man told them what they already know, but gave them a framework for understanding what they were not seeing. Jesus had been raised from the dead. The place where he had lain was now empty, and Jesus had gone on ahead of the disciples to Galilee. The task the women had was to tell Peter to go back to Galilee.

It is a surprise to us that Mark then reports that the women said nothing to anyone because they had been seized by terror and amazement. In other words they were speechless.

It is here that most of the older authorities end the book of Mark. Some versions add verses 9-16, and round out the chapter, and the story with a neat conclusion that has some parallels in the other gospels.

We like a neat ending, no unfinished business, no unanswered questions, no room for uncertainty. To conclude at verse eight is somehow unsatisfying, yet may be exactly what was originally intended.

The other gospels had Jesus meeting with the disciples in various places and situations. The shorter ending of Mark does not. Instead we find Peter and the other disciples directed back to where it all began, by the shores of Lake Galilee. There they met Jesus when they were going about their ordinary tasks, and there Jesus has promised to meet them again.

For many followers of Jesus this is where we will meet Jesus, and where we are called to follow him. Discipleship is about walking with Jesus, it is about following Jesus in the way. There may not be the dramatic appearance through locked doors, or breakfast provided by the lake, but we will meet Jesus. As we learn his teaching, and try to obey him on our journey through life, we will find that we meet the resurrected Jesus on the way.

Discipleship is not retreat from the world; it is not a matter of isolated meditation far from the realities of life. Discipleship is about walking with Jesus on the dusty roads and in the busyness and messiness of life. It is about encountering people who are broken and hurting and meeting people who have lost their way and purpose in life. Our task is to share with them what we have learned and what we have received from Jesus. As we do this we will know that Jesus has been raised, for we will experience his power and joy in our lives as we share it with others.