As we wrap up the season of Easter in the next few days, it’s appropriate we find ourselves at the beginning of the last chapter of Mark. The resurrection narratives are relatively short across all the gospels, at least in comparison to the breadth spent on his suffering and death. But Mark, as usual, provides resurrection details in the slimmest of brevities. Don’t blink.
But also don’t miss the young man. There are various interpretations of who this young man is and what role he plays. While other gospels provide an angel to speak to the empty tomb-discoverers, Mark simply tells of a young man. No flashing lights or orbs, just a white robe, sitting in the tomb. Weird.
Is it the same young man who was in the garden at Jesus’ arrest? Who wasn’t wearing much to begin with and left quickly fully naked, having lost his meager clothes to the grasps of the soldiers?
It seems fitting. Naked and exposed on Maundy Thursday. Dressed and secure on Easter Sunday.
Mark 16:1-8
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. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they came to the tomb. They were saying to each other, “Who’s going to roll the stone away from the entrance for us?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away. (And it was a very large stone!) Going into the tomb, they saw a young man in a white robe seated on the right side; and they were startled. 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. 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.” Overcome with terror and dread, they fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.
Prayer
God,
Thank you yet again for the resurrection of Jesus and for what it means in my life. I don’t know all the theological accuracies of scripture and doctrine, but I do know I want to live in a world shaped by new life.
So help me, God: Let me live this day today resonating with the new life you bring. May my faith in Jesus’ resurrection not be a litmus test of proof, but a model for hope around me.
Dead things can live again.
Hope can rise where it seems hopeless.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.