The Resurrection: Mark 16
Imaginative Contemplation
The women were the first to go to the tomb. In a male dominated world, why were the women the first to find the risen Jesus?
Why was their testimony not believed by the men?
The women went to anoint a dead body. Instead, they found the live Jesus. How did they respond to this?
Why did it take so long for the disciples to believe in the Resurrection?
Enter into the scene
We set out as soon as we could on Sunday morning to do for Jesus what had not been done on Friday night because by evening the laws of the Sabbath forbad us to be working. Yesterday had passed in a daze. How hard it was to believe that our dear friend Jesus was dead! And such a death! There were so many ‘if only’s; if only he had not gone out to Gethsemane, if only we had realised what Judas was planning, if only we had stayed with him! But these regrets were no help. What could we do now? The body had not been fully anointed. At least we could do that!
On the way we wondered how we might remove that huge stone which had been placed over the entrance to the tomb. As we approached the grave we felt the ground moving beneath us and the sound of loud rumbling. We were already very nervous, but this put a new layer on our fear. Holding on to each other, we cautiously moved forward. The stone had rolled onto the path, and we had to manoeuvre our way around it. Timidly we entered the tomb and were confronted by a young man. There was an angelic aura around him, and our initial fear abated when he addressed us. ‘Don’t be alarmed. I know you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is not here – he has been raised! Come and examine the place where they laid him. Now go and give this message to his disciples, including Peter. He is going to Galilee ahead of you. There you will meet him, just as he told you.’
We were terrified. We ran from the tomb and were too frightened to tell the others about what we had experienced.
But Mary Magdalene couldn’t stay still. On the way back to the grave, Jesus met her and made her the first Apostle of his resurrection. Emotions ran high as she told the disciples how she had encountered the risen Jesus, but they refused to believe her.
These were confusing times. It was said that Jesus appeared to two other men on a country road, but no one believed them. Dead men do not come back to life, do they? How naïve can one be?
Weeks later, the eleven Apostles were having a meal when suddenly Jesus came and shared their meal. Ghosts don’t eat, do they? Can it be? Do I dare to believe? Yes, this has happened! Jesus is alive and with us today! Spread the Good News to the ends of the earth!
For further reflection
Discuss with Jesus the following points:
Discuss with Jesus the following points:
Does fear stop me from acting for the good of others?
What do I do when I am fearful? Do I have someone I can talk to?
Do I trust that the Lord is with me at all times?
Do I ask for his help?
Do I belong to any group that meets to share ideals and actions for the good of others?
Can I trust others and believe the message which they are sharing?
Am I slow to believe other people? Are some things too good to be true?
Do I believe that the risen Jesus is with us today?
Prayer
I believe in Jesus Christ… On the third day he rose from the dead and ascended in to heaven. From there he shall judge the living and the dead. Lord, increase my faith. Amen.