Mark 16:1-8
If any moment in history should have been filled with Joy is should have been this one. Jesus was put to death on Friday but today is Sunday morning the day that Jesus repeatedly told the disciples he would rise (The most recent being 14:27-28). But they were nowhere to be seen. Peter had been at the trial of Jesus but had subsequently denied him; John was the only male disciple at the cross most were women followers. A pharisee was there at his burial along with the women. But to witness the resurrection was only the Roman Guards placed to guard the tomb in case the body was stolen.
None understood what Jesus had taught about his death, none expected the miracle of his resurrection. Here we have the women followers going to pay their final respects to a man who in the last three years had turned their life upsidedown; They went to anoint him. Not even the other disciples dared that much and were in hiding in Jerusalem.
However what they found that morning was not what they had expected. The tomb was empty, the body gone and instead a young man sat dressed in white; they were alarmed! Instead of being comforted by the lack of Jesus' body they were instead afraid. How our lack of knowledge (eternal life) can often prove our downfall.
The faithful follower of Jesus, however, has no need to be afraid. Jesus will quieten all our fears and this is the knowledge that will do just that "Jesus of Nazareth, who WAS crucified. He HAS risen; he IS not here... he is going BEFORE you to Galilee"
Jesus has gained a new title here "Jesus who WAS crucified, He has risen" Rev 1:18, Rev 5:6.
The faithful follower of Jesus, however, has no need to be afraid. Jesus will quieten all our fears and this is the knowledge that will do just that "Jesus of Nazareth, who WAS crucified. He HAS risen; he IS not here... he is going BEFORE you to Galilee"
Jesus has gained a new title here "Jesus who WAS crucified, He has risen" Rev 1:18, Rev 5:6.
And so the women left the tomb with the mission to tell the Good News. But they had not let it sink in fully to their own hearts and so left astonished, trembling and afraid, saying nothing to anyone.
We to are called to be on mission with this Good News "That Christ WAS crucified but now IS Risen!" How often do we go out with much fear and trembling. Instead we need to go to where Jesus is, as the disciples were told that Jesus was going before them to Galilee, and meet for ourselves the Risen Jesus and then in mission with him spread the Good News with strength, in the Joy of faith, that Jesus truly is Risen.
