Today’s chapter is Mark 16

Tom writes:

I love the idea that Mark’s gospel originally ended at verse 8. The descriptions of Jesus’ followers in the run up to this finale are “alarmed”, “trembling and bewildered” and “afraid”. Isn’t that how we should feel when we realise what really happened in that tomb? Jesus’ resurrection confounds everything that we know about this world. Of all things that are true and certain, dead things staying dead is at the top of the list. And so a man who has come back from death should alarm us. Remember, this isn’t a guy who was in a coma or who had someone else pray over him. This was a man, dead and mourned and buried who - through his own inherent power - restored breath and brain function to his rigor mortis corpse. Fear and trembling must be found in any person who has honestly grappled with the impossible reality of that. This fear is not anxiety. Instead it is reverence that I am encountering God’s Spirit who could scatter me to the ends of the earth and then re-form me again. The trembling is not worry. The trembling is overwhelming wonder that I get to be involved with this “other-worldly” thing that will make all things new. I’ve got to get more fear and trembling in my faith. Verses 9-20 may have been added later, and they slightly change the feel of the ending, but I love them and trust them all the same.

They have more triumph in them, more of a guide as to what the empowered church is meant to be doing and what the result of their activity will be. I love the idea of ordinary people doing this extraordinary stuff. And so as we finish this gospel we could say that our call is to hold both of these “endings” in tension. We must always be focused on mission, on empowered speaking and dynamic praying, but at the same time we must cling to trembling reverence and fearful focus on Jesus. He is the one who reassures us. He is the one who soothes us and comforts us. He is the one who counters poison, heals the sick and drives out demons. This gospel is Jesus’ gospel, this Kingdom is Jesus’ domain. When all is said and done am I a Jesus-man? Is this spectacular, baffling, suffering and resurrected Jesus my first and my last, my heart, my mind and my soul? If he is, then the gospel has done its job. If not, I need to read it again. Or read Matthew or John and then the rest of His word.

Question for reflection

What about Jesus makes you tremble?

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Mark 16 - Tuesday 23rd April