David Bahn – Reflections

Mark 16:1-8

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb.3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

[Some of the earliest manuscripts do not include 16:9–20.]

Mark’s Gospel ends rather abruptly. Matthew, Luke and John follow the various experiences of the apostles following the discovery of the empty tomb and Jesus’ appearances to his followers. The best evidence regarding Mark’s gospel ends at verse 8, even though scribes have apparently tried to add a more satisfying ending to the Gospel (v. 9-20). But I like this abrupt ending sans denouement.

Once we learn that the stone is rolled away, the tomb is empty, the women are to tell the disciples that Jesus is alive, and that they will see him in Galilee, the story ends. No account of the women telling the apostles about the resurrection. No additional appearances. No Great Commission. Just women rushing away consumed with fear.

There’s something very real here: emotions, worry, running, mystery. And in the end fear. I wonder if we have so domesticated the Easter Story that we never have any fear; we’re seldom at a loss to explain it or make any sense of it. But if we let ourselves rub up against the mystery and reality of the resurrection, we may find out just how good this news actually is. Perhaps you might even know someone who is in a place where they need to be told that the Story is not over. And it isn’t…not by a long shot.