Sometimes shorter is better, and other times we are thankful for a longer version of a story to tie up the loose ends. In either case, the book of Mark has a unique ending that can leave us pondering. Perhaps the earliest followers wanted more from Mark, and so they improvised with an alternate ending to give more details that line up with other texts. If it’s part of the Holy Scriptures at all, I trust it to be there by God’s hand, even if the change in style seems slightly obvious.
Even the short ending gives us the only message we need. The angel told the women, “He is risen from the dead!” Imagine hearing those words when you were expecting to be preparing Jesus’ dead body for proper burial. There hadn’t been time on the day of his crucifixion, but apparently it was no longer necessary.
Once the women got their heads around the idea their plans had changed, fear set in, and they must have wondered where Jesus had gone. Resurrection wasn’t something that happened every day, and there had to be so many questions. The text says they were “bewildered” and trembling in fright. Angelic visits weren’t the norm either.
Have you ever had an encounter with an angelic being or received a message from God in some other way? Those are moments to treasure as well as anticipate. Don’t be afraid to ask for divine inspiration and then expect some revelation. God may not respond in the way you expect, so “get used to different,” as they often say on the TV series, The Chosen.
This is the text we needed to read today to help focus on Jesus and not the noise of the world! Any day, really, would be “one of those days,” especially if we need a reason to be thankful. Our message of hope is loud and clear. Jesus is alive! Hallelujah! Thank you, God!
Our text points out how much confusion surfaced as the miraculous event was taking place. Did that surprise you? The disciples couldn’t believe or wouldn’t let themselves believe that Jesus was alive. Was it less painful that way? Did Jesus resurrect himself, or did the Holy Spirit do the work? Either way, our salvation depends on Jesus’ resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:14 is one of the verses we should have on the tips of our tongues. “And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless.” We believe in the resurrection, we believe Jesus died and was raised from the dead because we know it is true. We trust those who passed on the most important story ever told. We trust Jesus to do as he said.
Those first believers finally got it, even if they questioned at first and needed confirmation. Those who actually saw Jesus, even in a “different form,” surely knew they had encountered the risen Christ. We can be like those disciples at first, too. We can question our faith at times, but we should never question what Jesus can do. He fed the multitudes, healed the sick, and rose from the dead. We have faith in an unstoppable God, one who fights for us when we can’t fight for ourselves, even when we cannot see him.
Jesus may have physically left the disciples and us behind, but his continued mission for us was clear. We are sent as apostles into the world to proclaim his name. For the early believers, it was said that the “Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.” That same God continues to work through us. Believe it!
Let’s pray. Lord Jesus, I know you can and do work through me. Sometimes I don’t feel worthy of such a responsibility. I want to reflect your presence in my life well in all I say and do. I want people to hunger for you as I do because they realize it is the better way. You are the only way, Jesus, and I thank you for your powerful display of love. Your resurrection has changed the lives of your believers. Give me the courage to speak your name in this world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
