April 15, 2017
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

The New World Dawns

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Almighty God, we look forward in anticipation to tomorrow, when time turns a corner and everything is new.

Read Mark 16:1–8

[1] When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. [2] Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb [3] and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” [4] But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. [5] As 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. [7] But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.'” [8] Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Reflect

“Among times there is a time that turns a corner, and everything this side of it is new” (C. S. Lewis, 1898–1963).

 

Mark’s Gospel comes to its climax in triumph and bewilderment. It not so
much ends as stops. Jesus is risen, “just as he told you” (7). His words can always to be
trusted—we can risk our lives on them. His disciples will see him again—even Peter, after his
triple denial. There is restoration and renewed commission for failed followers. He goes before
them, blazing the trail for them to follow. Absolutely nothing—neither death itself, nor any
obstacle beyond their strength—can impede their relationship with him. That is the glorious
Easter message, which, like the young man (presumably an angel), we are to believe and
proclaim.
The women could not handle it. After such determined faithfulness, enduring the worst, they
seemed unable to grasp the best. They were bewildered and fearful. The other Gospels tell us that
they overcame their initial fear and completed their commission to the disciples, but Mark
intended us to take their fear seriously: there is something to learn. These women are honored in
the Gospels; they are the best of the disciples, so why this? Grace meets us where we are. In a
roller coaster of emotions, faith takes time. Their bewilderment was appropriate. His death was
real; their hope was lost. Despite Jesus’ prediction, his resurrection was not expected. As C. S.
Lewis said, it was the time when history turned a corner and it took a while to get used to the
new view.
The challenge remains for us. Ultimately we respond to the call of the risen Lord with faith or
with fear. These are not mutually exclusive. Faith does not always replace fear but can overcome
it. After the resurrection the future looks different. The risen Lord goes ahead and he calls us to
follow.

Mark’s Gospel comes to its climax in triumph and bewilderment. It not so much ends as stops. Jesus is risen, “just as he told you” (7). His words can always to be trusted—we can risk our lives on them. His disciples will see him again—even Peter, after his triple denial. There is restoration and renewed commission for failed followers. He goes before them, blazing the trail for them to follow. Absolutely nothing—neither death itself, nor any obstacle beyond their strength—can impede their relationship with him. That is the glorious Easter message, which, like the young man (presumably an angel), we are to believe and proclaim. The women could not handle it. After such determined faithfulness, enduring the worst, they
seemed unable to grasp the best. They were bewildered and fearful. The other Gospels tell us that they overcame their initial fear and completed their commission to the disciples, but Mark intended us to take their fear seriously: there is something to learn. These women are honored in the Gospels; they are the best of the disciples, so why this? Grace meets us where we are. In a roller coaster of emotions, faith takes time. Their bewilderment was appropriate. His death was
real; their hope was lost. Despite Jesus’ prediction, his resurrection was not expected. As C. S. Lewis said, it was the time when history turned a corner and it took a while to get used to the new view. The challenge remains for us. Ultimately we respond to the call of the risen Lord with faith or with fear. These are not mutually exclusive. Faith does not always replace fear but can overcome it. After the resurrection the future looks different. The risen Lord goes ahead and he calls us to
follow. 

 

Apply

To whom is Jesus sending you, to tell the story of the resurrection?

Closing prayer

Lord, Your future is my destiny. You call me into the unknown. I acknowledge my fears; I thank You for going ahead of me and ask for grace to follow.

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