David Bahn – Reflections

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These reflections grow out of the Follow the Word Bible reading program at St. John Lutheran Church in Cypress, Texas. This year we are reading through the Scriptures together, listening for how God speaks through his Word day by day. You are warmly invited to join us on this journey

Today’s readings are Mark 15-16, Psalm 8.

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.

Mark’s Gospel ends abruptly — and uncharacteristically — with fear, silence, and an unsettling lack of resolution. The women leave the tomb afraid and say nothing to anyone. It feels unfinished. And perhaps that is exactly the point.

There are additional verses following Mark 16:8, but as most modern Bible translations note, “Some of the earliest manuscripts do not include 16:9–20.” It is widely recognized that Mark’s original account likely ended at verse 8, with later scribes supplying a more conventional conclusion.

That said, Mark leaves us with two clear and vital truths after many long chapters recounting Jesus’ betrayal, suffering, and death. Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane, his betrayal by Judas, the accusations of the religious leaders, the mocking and scourging by the soldiers, and his encounter with Pilate all lead to the stark reality of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial.

And then comes this: Jesus’ body is no longer in the tomb.
The women are the first to hear the words, “He has risen; he is not here.”

They come to the tomb worried about the stone sealing the entrance, only to find it already rolled away. They bring spices to anoint Jesus’ body — but there is no body to anoint. Instead, they encounter a young man dressed in a white robe who tells them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here.” They are instructed to go, to tell the disciples — and Peter — that Jesus is going ahead of them to Galilee.

Luke records several encounters between angels and people early in his Gospel. Zechariah questions the message. Mary receives it in faith. The shepherds respond with wonder and obedience. But Mark tells us something more raw and unsettling: at least at first, the women flee in fear and say nothing to anyone.

Yet Mark’s Gospel is not the only testimony to what followed Jesus’ death and resurrection. The story does not end with silence. For nearly two thousand years, the message has gone out — the story of Jesus’ life, teaching, suffering, death, and resurrection. And it continues to be told.

Mark begins his Gospel with the words, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” He ends with fear and unfinished sentences. But the end is not The End.

The risen Jesus still sends his people. Until he comes again to gather us to himself, there is a message to tell — and now it is our turn to continue the story, wherever and whenever we can.