Mark 16
Mark’s account of Easter morning is much
more subdued than the other gospels’ versions.
Indeed, it would seem that some of the earliest copies of the gospel only
to proclamation that Jesus had risen, and recorded no actual sightings of
Him!
Most English translations of Mark 16
have a note right after v. 8 that says something like, “Some of the earliest
manuscripts do not include 16:9-20.” My
theory about this (and since it is my theory, you are welcome to disagree) is
that when Mark wrote the book he ended at v. 8.
This fits well with the idea that Mark wrote to people who were
nostalgically dreaming that it would be easier to believe if they had been
there. It puts the reader in the same
shoes as the apostles hearing the good news, but not seeing it. The message of the resurrection, then, is
something that one can only receive by faith.
They had no advantage over us or anyone else that first Easter
morning.
What of the rest of the chapter? Almost everything in it is in other
gospels. There is little added to the
resurrection account here. And the
little that is added was likely handed down orally.
Why include it? Well, do you like ending at verse 8? It was probably well meant but wrongheaded. Mark would leave us in a tension to
understand that faith has always been hard and it is always based on what we
have been told in God’s Word.
Today people still cry for proof that
Jesus rose from the dead. Nearly every
Easter there is a story on T.V. or in a magazine trying to make sense of how a
dead man might rise, and a religion begins in His name. For the most part these stories “preach to
the converted” – either bolstering those who believe in the resurrection or
confirming to those who don’t believe that it is all humbug. Rarely is the other side convinced by the
arguments.
The only way to hold on to our faith is
to be called, gathered, and enlightened by the Holy Spirit. The only way for another person to get that
faith is through proclamation and the working of the Spirit. Faith is not about proof. It is about trust. And the Risen One is trustworthy!
Jesus, I believe You have risen from the
dead. Keep that faith strong in me, and
help me share the hope I have in You with others. Amen.
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