A Great Ending

Scripture – Mark 16:1-8: ¹When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. ²Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb ³and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” ⁴But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. ⁵As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. ⁶“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. ⁷But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” ⁸Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

Reflection: – Often, I overlook the fear factor of that first Easter. I read the story and focus on, “He has risen!” At the same time, the women who were there were so afraid they couldn’t say anything. When I stop and think, this was a very scary experience.

Obviously, the women eventually did tell their story. Their fear gave way to amazement – then joy!

There’s good reason to believe this is the original ending to Mark’s gospel. I kind of like it because it leaves work still to be done. We know there’s more to be told. Today, it’s left up to us to tell it. “Don’t be alarmed…..He has risen!”