He Has Risen
The abrupt ending of Mark’s Gospel corresponds with the preface: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1). Mark immediately presents Jesus and John and as the text unfolds, the life, person, and work of our Lord heralds His resurrection to startled, astonished women (Mark 16:1-8). This is typical of Mark’s account, astonishment and fear, the utter amazement of the women.
They had gotten up bright and early, before sunrise, taking the spices and ointments they has prepared They were intent on anointing Christ’s corpse, giving it a proper burial after a hasty interment Friday afternoon, just prior to the Sabbath. The Passover Sabbath intervenes and all activity ends until three days later with the dawning of the first day of the week. The women make their way to the tomb, wondering how the large stone will be rolled away for them to enter and anoint the dead body of Jesus.
But now they encounter an unexpected thing: the stone has been rolled away and there are no guards outside. They enter and there they encounter a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side of the burial vault, who addresses the alarmed women, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome. “Do not be alarmed,” the angel reassures the ladies. “You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell the disciples and Peter that He is going before you to Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you” (Mark 16:6-7).
Jesus had predicted this very thing, His suffering, death, and resurrection. He had said He would meet His disciples in Galilee. Everything was as was foretold. And the women are stupefied and astonished. The account of the empty tomb is soul-shaking. It was much like the expression of military planners who predicted the opposition to be struck with “shock and awe” once engagement began. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is beyond human comprehension, which is evident by the women’s utter astonishment and fearful trembling, as they fled from the tomb, “for they were afraid” (Mark 16:8).
As Mark’s gospel began immediately so too does it conclude on a note of amazement mixed with fear. The focus is on human inadequacy and weakness. Christian faith is not based on such fallible people but upon our mighty God and His revelation of love in His Son, the living Lord and Savior. Christ is risen as He said. The message of salvation is not based upon human ability. The women don’t even understand what is happening, but God reveals His truth for our comfort, faith, and salvation. He is in charge and we are blessed recipients of His loving grace and mercy.
“He has risen” is the very heart of the Gospel. The women that first Easter, expecting to find a dead body instead encounter an empty tomb and an angelic messenger bearing the good news of Christ’s defeat of death. To raise the dead is impossible for men to do. Christ’s resurrection was a work of God, a miracle. And His resurrection has shown Jesus Christ to be the Savior of the world. Our Lord suffered and died in our stead and rose again for our justification (Romans 4:25). The devil has been defeated. Christ reigns on high and down below in the hearts of His believers. They have received, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the gift of faith and life in Jesus’ name. And the message of Christ’s atoning sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins is proclaimed and His means of grace in Word and Sacrament are God’s gift to sinful mankind, that many may be “born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for” (1 Peter 1:3-4) all who believe. He has risen! Don’t be afraid to share the Good News of our Lord’s love and resurrection from the dead. He lives and reigns to all eternity. We share in His glory through faith.