Mark 16 reminds me of being a scaredy-cat. That was a term kids used to goad others into doing things that they were afraid to do. There is a long list of times when fear prevented me from taking action, or saying important words. Fear is not always a bad thing; some challenges were foolish, dangerous or require a level of maturity. The final chapter in Mark’s gospel is about overcoming fear and doubt. It begins, “When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body”. We read that it was “Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise”. At sunrise, Sunday morning, these three women were set to prepare the body for mourning. Their only concern was, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” It was customary to add aromatic spices to cover the stench of the decaying body. When they arrived, “they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side”. We read, “They were alarmed”. I believe this was an angel in human form. He gave instruction to them, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here”. It is important to point out that while Christianity is often blamed for treating women as inferior, the opposite is true. Up until that time, women were virtually property, yet their role here was to be reliable witnesses. Man or woman, people will see your character before they hear your words.
The angel said, “Go, tell His disciples and Peter”. Pause here and recall that the last time we saw Pete, he was frightened away by a little servant girl. Clearly there was a special invitation extended to him. The angel continued, “He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you”. Jesus often spoke of His resurrection, but it seems most believed He was talking about a distant future event. Their reaction is described as “Trembling and bewildered” as they fled the tomb. “They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid”. It is clear from the other Gospel accounts that this was a short-term reaction. Friend, what will you do about the empty tomb?
For the rest of the chapter each person has nearly the same skeptical reaction to being told He has risen. Notice that the doubt of others did not deter anyone that had seen Him with their own eyes. “He appeared first to Mary Magdalene… She went and told those who had been with Him and who were mourning and weeping… they did not believe it”. Next we read Jesus appeared and taught the two men walking along a country road dejected and on their way home. They ran back to Jerusalem and “reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either”. Finally, “Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating”. These were the men that Jesus had poured His life into over three years, yet they did not believe the word of witnesses. “He rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen Him after He had risen”. While I am still a scaredy-cat at heart, I am open to telling my story to anyone that asks. I was alone in every way possible, I heard the Word of God, and recognized myself in these words. “For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him… Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools… Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts” (Romans 1:21-24). My friend, only the Spirit of God can remove the stone of doubt that separates you from His peace. He will meet you right where you are now. What are you afraid of?