St. John's

So how many Easter services have you been to in your life? I hope you take opportunity this Easter to look back at God's faithfulness in your life through the years.  This is especially timely as we will focus on Mark 16:1-8 for Easter this year at St. John's.  Read it, paying special attention to Mark 16:7.

In Mark's resurrection narrative, we encounter the women coming to the tomb.  It is empty and they are met by a heavenly young man...maybe that means he was a real stud but it's probably more a comment of his purpose...  Yet, the women find the tomb empty.  This is great news, right?  Well not based on their reaction - alarmed, overwhelmed, fearful.  The women are the only ones we see going to the tomb.  None of the disciples had gone, where were they?  They all had run for the hills, but not the women.  They go to care for the body of Jesus but then run away in fear as well.  Mark shows us that everyone fails at following Jesus in his gospel. 

So who can follow?  No one...unless they rely on the promise, Jesus' promise.  Again, Mark 16:7, "He (Jesus) is going into Galilee.  There you will see him, just as he told you."  Jesus had foretold his death and his resurrection, and promised to see his followers again in Galilee (Mark 14:28).  How amazing and terriffic is the news of the risen Jesus Christ!!!  This is the promise we trust in today and every day until Jesus returns again as promised - Jesus' promise.  None of us follow Jesus completely or perfectly but the promise remains and is our salvation, our saving grace from God.

Now that we know the "rest of the story" which the women did not have, we can re-read Mark's Gospel and the proper response of faith is produced - believing in Jesus' promise.  Including, the repsonse in Mark 16:7 - "Go, Tell..."  

Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed!! Alleluia!