How Does It End?

Mark gives us like a biblical "choose-your-ending."

Mark seems to have three different endings. The first, which we read yesterday, ends abruptly, almost in a certain reverent fear. The second is short and almost seems like someone added because the first was so abrupt. And the third is longer and filled with characteristics unfamiliar to the rest of the gospel of Mark, and frankly, the gospels as a whole.

Nonetheless, they are each in most versions of the Bible, one way or another. (We use the CEB for Jesus Daily, which brackets the second and third endings, which you’re reading today.)

What are we to make of this?

Well, maybe it’s a reminder that the gospel is not a controlled narrative, smoothed out for theological or literary neatness (as much as some of us would like that). Gospel is messy. Resurrection is part mystery. Testimony is scattered. Discipleship doesn’t always come with clarity.

(An aside: Have you ever thought about how the most powerful thing that Jesus did had no witnesses? Why is this? …do you think?)

Maybe Mark’s different endings reflect how the early church wrestled with the same things we do: How do we make sense of the resurrection? How do we tell this story? Where does the gospel actually end?

Some traditions cling to the dramatic signs in the longer ending—snakes and poison and tongues and power. Others hold to the trembling silence of verse 8 as a more honest expression of awe and bewilderment. Both are trying to answer the same question: Now what?

And maybe that can serve as our point. Maybe Mark doesn’t neatly tie the bow because we’re supposed to keep writing. Maybe the resurrection isn’t the end of the story—but the beginning of another one.

Mark 16:9-20

[They promptly reported all of the young man’s instructions to those who were with Peter. Afterward, through the work of his disciples, Jesus sent out, from the east to the west, the sacred and undying message of eternal salvation. Amen. ]

[[After Jesus rose up early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went and reported to the ones who had been with him, who were mourning and weeping. But even after they heard the news, they didn’t believe that Jesus was alive and that Mary had seen him.

After that he appeared in a different form to two of them who were walking along in the countryside. When they returned, they reported it to the others, but they didn’t believe them. Finally he appeared to the eleven while they were eating. Jesus criticized their unbelief and stubbornness because they didn’t believe those who saw him after he was raised up. He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the good news to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever doesn’t believe will be condemned. These signs will be associated with those who believe: they will throw out demons in my name. They will speak in new languages. They will pick up snakes with their hands. If they drink anything poisonous, it will not hurt them. They will place their hands on the sick, and they will get well.”

After the Lord Jesus spoke to them, he was lifted up into heaven and sat down on the right side of God. But they went out and proclaimed the message everywhere. The Lord worked with them, confirming the word by the signs associated with them.]]

Psalm 71:14-16

But me? I will hope. Always. I will add to all your praise. My mouth will repeat your righteous acts and your saving deeds all day long. I don’t even know how many of those there are! I will dwell on your mighty acts, my Lord. Lord, I will help others remember nothing but your righteous deeds.

Prayer

God,

I’m trying to remember when you asked of me to do the things of theological precision. Have you even called me to excellence? These things are often assumed to be the goal. But I can’t think of when you made it so.

I’m more convinced these days that your call is about efforted action. Intentionality, but not necessarily excellence. (Even as I pray that previous sentence, Lord, I’m conflicted!).

So help me, God: Give me the right desires and the gumption to make it active in what I do. And make it be today.

By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.