Today, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. After spending the past seven days in the Gospel of Mark, we have finally reached the moment we've all been waiting for. But wait, there are only eight verses? 

Some of your Bibles might have a note stating that the earliest manuscripts do not include verses 9-20. It is believed that later scribes were unsure how to handle Mark’s ending, so they added other historical accounts. Mark ends quite abruptly, but perhaps that is intentional. 

Though it is succinct, Mark’s account of the resurrection includes many unique details. He mentions Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome going to the tomb at dawn. As they walk, their main concern is, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb” (Mark 16:3, ESV)? Little did they know that was the least of their problems. When they arrived, they found the large stone had already been rolled away. They were startled to see what appeared to be a young man dressed in white sitting inside the tomb. He told them not to be afraid, that Jesus had risen and would meet the disciples in Galilee just as he told them on Thursday. However, Mark ends the story by saying that the women, terrified and amazed, ran back home without saying a word to anyone. 

Mark has been rushing us through the Gospel narratives, so it’s no surprise this section is brief. However, it leaves us without any closure. Throughout Mark's Gospel, Jesus told those he healed and those to whom he revealed his identity to remain silent and not tell anyone. Of course, it didn’t work. They went and spread their story far and wide. Now, the angel tells the women to go and tell the disciples, but they are too afraid to say anything. 

Some scholars point out that the contrast is meant to highlight the reality of their response. This was unexpected, and it took them a while to process the information before sharing it with the disciples. Some suggest that Mark is contrasting the theme of Jesus instructing secrecy with the fact that, when it was time to speak up, they were too afraid. 

As challenging as some of Jesus's teachings were, which got him into trouble with the religious leaders, the resurrection would ultimately be the main reason for the persecution of his followers. Mark is asking us to consider the cost. To claim to be a follower of Christ is to profess that we believe in a savior who was born of a virgin, died on the cross as the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and was raised from the dead. Like the early church, every Sunday when we come together to worship, we declare that Jesus is alive and that his resurrection gives us hope. 

Throughout the history of the Church, Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection have been the foundation of our faith. It is our hope for salvation and the path we are called to follow in obedience. If we join with Jesus in denying ourselves and taking up our cross in obedience, we will be made like him in the resurrection when he returns. 

Just as we need to linger a little longer at the foot of the cross, we also need to stand and examine the empty tomb. Let us not be ashamed to declare that we believe in a living Savior who has died to wash away our sins and has risen to give us new life. Let others who see our good works know that we wear the robes of Christ’s righteousness. Let us no longer stay silent about our faith.

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