Mark 16:1-8

Daily Meditation:  Mark 16:1-8

Mark 16:1-8

1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go and anoint the body. 2 And very early in the morning on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they came to the tomb.

3 They were saying to one another, “Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 But as they looked up, they noticed that the stone had already been rolled away. It was a very big stone.

5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man in a white robe seated on the right, and they were amazed. 6 But he said to them, “Don’t be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified; he has been raised and is not here. This is, however, the place where they laid him. 7 Now go and tell his disciples and Peter: Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there just as he told you.” 8 The women went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them. And they were so afraid that they said nothing to anyone.

It is a new dawn, a  new day, a new era.  The old has passed and we are on the cusp of a new beginning.  Every prophecy foretold in the Old Testament  has been fulfilled in Him.  The shadows melt and we behold the 'Vision of Glory.'   The feet of the two Marys are hurrying to the tomb with spices to anoint the Body of the Beloved - but their hearts are frozen in the recent events resulting in a paralysis of the mind.  They are sorrowful and preoccupied with death and the rituals concerned with it quite oblivious of the fact that they will soon become the first witnesses to the most awesome event in human history - it has no equal.  The Resurrection of the Christ.

Still caught up with thoughts concerning the anointing of the Body of Christ and the rolling of the large stone sealing the entrance of the tomb, each one is lost in the practical problems facing them.  Everything that Jesus ever said about Himself, His Passion and His Resurrection are completely erased from their memory.   How often He had foretold in detail all that would happen to Him concluding that He would rise again on the 3rd day.  How could they have forgotten?  Had they remembered, their grief over His death would have been brief and they would be waiting with expectant faith for the 3rd day certain of seeing the Risen Christ again. 

It has begun.  The first indication is that the huge stone blocking the entrance of the tomb is rolled away - the first barrier to faith is removed.  Sin.  They step inside and are amazed to find an angel waiting for them.  Angels were there to announce His birth, an angel is present to announce His Resurrection.  He must have looked frighteningly awesome for the women were terrified on seeing him.  He tells them not to be afraid and confirms that Jesus who was crucified has been raised to life.  He will not be found  in the tomb. The grave is a place for the dead not for the living.  The angel then gave them their mission, the same mission entrusted to each of us,  to hurry and proclaim the Good News to the other disciples and to Peter the Chief of the Apostles.  Tell them, the angel said, that Jesus will meet them exactly as He has promised to do.

In what ways do I resemble these two women who had forgotten all that Jesus had said of Himself?  Despite their personal experience of Him they still went looking for His dead Body.

How alive and vibrant is my faith in the face of apparent defeat?

How sincere am I in my mission to preach the Good News?

Do I allow fear to paralyze me?

M--- Mine, do no keep your eyes to the ground, you will get bogged down and discouraged.  Instead, lift up your eyes and look at the empty tomb and there, find your hope.  Death is defeated I live and you will too, in Me.  Rejoice always, there is no place for being gloomy in the Presence of your Risen Lord, only gladness and joy.  Don't get so caught up with the world that you lose sight of heaven.