Chapter Reflection

The chapter opens with love going to a tomb too early for hope, carrying spices for a body, while the stone has already been moved by Another. Fear, astonishment, and silence meet the angelic word: the Crucified is risen, and the place of death is empty. The women become first witnesses, yet even the disciples who hear their testimony and later see him themselves are slow of heart, showing how unbelief and amazement can dwell side by side in us. Christ is not held by the grave; he goes before his own, gathers even Peter by name, and sends them into the whole world with a word and signs that heal, restore, and overturn the dominion of death. Ascended and enthroned, he is still present with those who go out in weakness, working with them and confirming what they speak.

ResurrectionFear and wonderWitnessHealing signsAscension
He Is Risen

Mark 16

1And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

2And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

3And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?

4And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

5And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.

6And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

7But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

8And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.

9Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

10And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.

11And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.

12After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.

13And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.

14Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

19So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

20And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Who God is

What kind of Lord is this, who steps out of death, goes before his own, and still works with them as they go?

The condition of man

What does it show about you that love can go to the tomb, and yet the heart can still tremble, doubt, and need to be summoned by life itself?