MARKAN MEDITATIONS

Meditations in the Gospel of St. Mark

St. Mark 16:1-8

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MARK'S ACCOUNT of the resurrection is short and concise, but there are spiritual lessons to be learnt.

Firstly, we can observe the eager love of the women for Jesus. A love seemingly deeper and stronger than the disciples, for they were willing to get up very early in the morning of Sunday in order to honour the body of Jesus. Their love made them eager to anoint the body of Jesus. What this teaches us is that it is not our words affirming our love for Jesus that have necessarily any real meaning, but that what is important is our actions, and the way we live, which show forth that we love Jesus and tell of how deep that love is. The person who deeply loves Jesus will show it in their life, in the desire to be with Jesus in worship and preaching, in the willingness to give time and energy to service for Jesus within the church and the world. The deeper the love the greater the worship and service.

From this we realise how important is the growth of our love for the Lord. This will not be realised by trying to love him more. Any action because we feel a duty to love, will soon evaporate. Love for Jesus is nurtured and grows by the perception of the great love of Jesus for us. The growth in love for Jesus will come as we dwell much on all that Jesus has done in love for us, and in as far we let these blessings enrich our souls.

We read next of the fear and anxiety of the women about how they were going to get into the tomb, because of the great stone rolled over the entrance. Let us notice that their fear did not inhibit them from seeking to honour Jesus. So often fear paralyses Christians so that they will not do things for Jesus. It is not that they are unwilling but fear prevents them. Thus it is important to notice that the fear of these women was needless, as so often fear in the Christian warfare and service is. The purpose of the Lord had gone before, and the stone was rolled away. In fact there was now no need for the body of Jesus to be anointed for he was risen. This did not invalidate the loving service in the hearts of these women, but simply crowned their love with great joy. Fear in the Christian life is so often, if not always, needless, for the Lord goes before and gives the victory. The Lord is not only our guide but our strength and protection, so we need not fear.

Notice next that the love of these woman was rewarded mightily for they were the first to hear the glorious news that Jesus had risen, death was conquered, and salvation won. It is those who love Jesus most who are the ones who know the joy of the Lord most. Jesus meets the love of his people with a deeper sense of his love and presence.

The women saw a young man dressed in white. He came with the divine message that Jesus was alive and going before his disciples. There is no doubt this was a visitation of an angel. Here we have the Biblical evidence to the reality of angels, and something of their ministry is also seen, for this angel was plainly sent by God to instruct and encourage God's people. Let us never doubt the reality of the angelic beings.

The angel gave the women the evidence of the resurrection of Jesus. He said come and see where Jesus was laid. The evidence was in the empty tomb, and though Mark does not mention the folded grave clothes at the place where Jesus lay, he implies their presence. This empty tomb is sufficient evidence for us all that Jesus victoriously rose from the dead and conquered death. Let us never doubt this great fact which tells us that Jesus completed his work of redeeming sinners, and worked it completely, because death, the punishment for sin, he brought to an end when he rose again.

Notice lastly how fear paralyses us. The women were told to tell the disciples the good news that Jesus was alive. But they were so afraid that they were prevented from doing so. We must learn not to fear, for the Lord is with us. Also it is worth noticing the fact that the angel specially mentioned that Peter was to be told about the risen Lord. This was not because he had some supremacy over the other disciples, but simply the love of God assuring him, after his great sin of denying Jesus, that he was still loved and accepted as one of the disciples of the Lord. God is always busy in the business of building up his people in his love.