NL 239: Resurrection

Mark 16:1-8

What makes this story different from the other Gospels?
“When is an ending not the end? When a dead man rises from the tomb—and when a Gospel ends in the middle of a sentence.”Williamson, L. (1983). Mark(p. 283). Atlanta, GA: J. Knox Press.

The Three Endings - We like the disciples are not content with Jesus’ passion predictions and the lack of a resurrection appearance - we demand closure

γαρ ("for" or "however"; 16:8) This is a conjunction- it cannot (or should not) ever end a sentence- that is because the Gospel continues-in you
Mark 16:8b is added as a rounded out summation, Mark 16:9-20 is added later but is known by second century
Both endings are additions, most scholars agree that Mark 16:8a is the original ending- even though it is disturbing and seemingly unfinished
The Gospel of Peter also end with an empty tomb

Women come to the tomb when the disciples are hiding in fear (at least according to Matthew and Luke)

Spices - used as a sign of love to make the rotting body smell nice- not to embalm- the Jews did not embalm people
Women do not expect a resurrected Jesus (despite his predictions and proclamations) - they come expecting a dead Jesus and once again abandon Jesus in silence and fear
Timing is specific (as it always in in Mark) - after the Sabbath, first day of the week - 3 days (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
They do not come expecting the resurrection but the dead body (in this they are just as unbelieving as the disciples)
“Who will roll away the stone for us?” is the only comment from the women

Angel: White clothes depict holiness, fear is the proper response to angelic appearances
Man: restoration of relationships - “All of them deserted him and fled” v. 50 - then the young man in a linen cloth abandons Jesus and leaves naked. The man is here again clothed (much like Adam and Eve) and the relationship is restored. The young man tells them to tell all the disciples (including Peter) to meet Jesus in Galilee - insinuating Jesus’ impending forgiveness of Peter’s denial

Restoration of relationship - Peter and the disciples...including Judas? No mention of Judas since the betrayal

Jesus did tell them to expect him in Galilee after his resurrection (Mark 14:28)
Readers: Return to Galilee which is the beginning of the Gospel - want to see Jesus? Read the Gospel

Disciples- Begin your ministry where Jesus began his. In sharing the good news in word and deed you will encounter the resurrected Christ
The door of memories - the Greek word for tomb (μνημειον) comes from the Greek word for memory and the Greek word for entrance (θυρα) also means door. Literally- who will roll the stone away from the door of memories?

The words of the Angel - “just as he told you” Go to Galilee - remember what Jesus told you- roll away the stone from your door of memories. Remember who Jesus is and therefore who you are!

“Galilee of the Gentiles is the locus of the mission to the nations. Galilee is also the place from which the disciples and the women came: their home turf, the place of their daily routine.” Williamson, L. (1983). Mark (p. 285). Atlanta, GA: J. Knox Press.

There is an irony after being told repeatedly to keep the good new about Jesus a secret (1:34, 1:44, 7:31-37, 8:22-26, 8:27-30, 9:2-9) and presumably not keeping it to themselves (as the good news gets out), now they are told to proclaim the good news and they remain silent.
They do not do as the man commanded
There is no post-resurrection appearance
Just as the crucifixion threatened to be the end, but was not the end, so the resurrection seems at first to be the end, but clear is not the end. The story continues.

“ Mark’s ending is no end; only the reader can bring closure.” Williamson, L. (1983). Mark (p. 285). Atlanta, GA: J. Knox Press.

“As descendants of the enslaved, we, too, understand how some stories do not “end” with simplistic conclusions, as if things were “happily ever after.” Emerson B. Powery, “Mark” True to Our Native Land
If you do not like the end of this gospel- then write a better one with your life - how do you respond to an empty tomb? Do you return to your life or are you transformed by the good news of Jesus Christ? Will you run in fear or will you proclaim the good news in word and action?

The justification of the righteous. Jesus' resurrection was God’s way of vindicating Jesus.
“The ‘implied resurrection’ at the end of Mark functions to legitimate the ongoing messianic practice of the community. At the same time, because it demands a readerly resolution, it subverts the possibility of a glorified christology, which might render the community passive. The empty tomb means the story of biblical radicalism can continue in the living and dying of disciples in all ages.” (Ched Myers, Binding the Strong Man, p. 408)

Are we content with an empty tomb and the command to begin our ministry in light of an empty cross? Do we need Jesus to tell us exactly what to do after being raised or do we know from his ministry in life unto death on the cross?
How often do we get caught up in the foolish particularities (who will roll away the stone) and overlook the good news (Jesus said he would rise again- his life is marked with victory over death)? Perhaps the devil truly is in the details by tempting us toward problem solving instead of moving us toward faith.
You are the end of the story. We want to have a nice concise ending- a sweet story to send children to bed with - But the good news is not just about the story, but the story which moves us to action. You are the end of the Gospel. You want to experience the resurrected Christ? Live as he lived, love as he loved, forgive as he forgave, and believe and he believed and you will experience Jesus.
What would the church look like if we were less concerned with the resurrection (eternal life/heaven/etc) and more concerned with living as Jesus lived (even if it means our own death)?

Closing Song by Bryan Odeen