Mark 16:1-3 (CEB)When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they could go and anoint Jesus’ dead body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they came to the tomb. 3 They were saying to each other, “Who’s going to roll the stone away from the entrance for us?”
The Audience
- The women then, us today
- Looking for death…
The Death Walk by Ann Weems
O God, what am I going to do?
He’s gone-and I’m left
with an empty pit in my life.
I can’t think.
I can’t work.
I can’t eat.
I can’t talk.
I can’t see anyone.
I can’t leave my house.
Nothing makes any sense.
Nothing seems worth doing.
Mark 16:4-5 (CEB)4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away. (And it was a very large stone!) 5 Going into the tomb, they saw a young man in a white robe seated on the right side; and they were startled.
The Angel
- Mover
- Messenger of God
Mark 16:6-8 (CEB)6 But he said to them, “Don’t be alarmed! You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised. He isn’t here. Look, here’s the place where they laid him. 7 Go, tell his disciples, especially Peter, that he is going ahead of you into Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you.” 8 Overcome with terror and dread, they fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.
The Action
- Look
- Go
- Tell
- Silence
LASTING THOUGHT
Back to the beginning, like the women, the disciples and Peter we are sent to start anew. Following Jesus to the grave, only to realize that he’s not there. Jesus continues His mission to proclaim to “good news” as the risen Lord and invites us to participate in that proclamation.