Mark 16:1-8 (NRSV)
Mark's resurrection account
When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?" When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you." So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?" When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you." So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Reflection
The resurrection was unseen by humans. We are really not sure how it took place, but the evidence is clear that it did. We can look at what was left in the tomb and conjure up several scenes but none of them matter. God did what Jesus said would be done. Jesus is alive and will meet many people. Jesus comes to us even today, in the Sacraments we know, see, feel and touch Jesus. Jesus comes to us in Word and deed. We hear the voice of Jesus and his Word spoken through sermons and conversations. We read the Word of Jesus as we see him come to life in the Old Testament and as we read the witness of his life in the New Testament. Jesus is alive and the Spirit moves throughout creation today, even though the resurrection was unseen by humans, it's clear; God does what he promises to do. We are saved!
The first sign of the resurrection was the stone's removal. That barrier that blocked the living from the dead was pushed aside. Some accounts indicate that Jesus was already out of the tomb and somehow passed through rock as he passed through door later. Some think that the stone was moved by an earthquake. What does matter is that what was once the place of the dead is now open to life. Angels pass through this same barrier freely as well as humans. Jesus opened up the tombs for all people as the first of the resurrected. What once was dead is now alive. Jesus passed through death to life for all of us to be able to do the same. And Jesus will come again to resurrect the dead.
Angels are seen before Jesus is seen. The heavenly realms of creatures of praise are seen by humans and all creation praises and sings the glories of Jesus' resurrection from the dead. Jesus has caused an earth to heaven reunion beyond all thought.
Peter is singled out among the disciples to go and tell. Make sure we tell Peter, the one in such despair over his denial of Jesus. Jesus loves Peter and each one of us even in our sin. That's the love that goes beyond sin. That's the love willing to die for those who sin. Jesus knows our weaknesses and failures and loves us anyway. As the women go and tell first, this going and telling has continued for all time. We go and tell of a God that loves us so deeply that God would die to give us life. Something unheard of! That's love! Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Jesus, as I go and tell this day, I tell of a love that surpasses all love. --- Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment