The Resurrection Really Matters Mark 16:1-8
It is Easter Sunday 2015. Resurrection Sunday 2015. It is any number of “RE” words you wish. Restoration….Renewal…Renovation….Rebirth….Revival. In our reading of the gospel text of John 20:1-18 we hear of Mary’s “reaction” to the sight of a resurrected Jesus. She “responds” with shock and awe at the sight of the unbelievable. Something new is going on that she just does not understand and which she must “report” to the disciples.
However, the alternative reading for this Sunday, Mark 16:1-8, gives us another account of the encounter of the event.
1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him.
2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb.
3 They had been saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?"
4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back.
5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
6 But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him.
7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you."
8 So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
What do we do with this less than familiar, less than quoted, story reading about the resurrection? What do we make of it? What does it mean when we face death in some else, or in ourselves? How is it that THE RESURRECTION REALLY MATTERS to you?
I can pull out all the theological reference books, bible commentaries, theological learning and prowess to explain the claims of the resurrection. I can say “Jesus died to take away our sin and rose to give us new life.” That would be tantamount to me saying I have this whole resurrection thing figured out for you and I know exactly how God is at work in your life. But no amount of theological education will ever put me, or anyone else, in the position to make that claim.
So, let’s be real about this. The resurrection, in general, means little for anyone, including us, until it means something personally. The resurrection is, as it is in both Gospel accounts, a personal moment. The resurrection has far reaching implications, but even farther reaching application for each of us. For THERESURRECTION REALLY MATTERS, when it matters to you. When it takes a hold of and affects your life personally.
For me, it is about being freed to serve others even though I am free from the Law that requires me to do so. And because I am free in Christ, I am also free to serve and love others. But, don’t let this limit and define the resurrection for you.
What I will say is what these two gospel accounts show us is the extent of the response what might have to the gospel. John 20:19, “I have seen the Lord,” and Mark 16:8, “they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone,” There is no correct response, no prescribed response to the resurrection. While some of us will be circumspect, uncertain what to do with it, I do believe that all of will eventually be proclaimers of the Good News, whether in word or deed. I hope that we all will approach the resurrection is both manners.
What I do want to do today is to roll away the stone from all the ways that limit our thinking about the resurrection, and open up the gamut of possibilities for you to approach the empty tomb and for you take away the message of new and free life in Christ for you and for others. For when it matters to you, THERESURRECTION REALLY MATTERS!
Amen.
