Mark 16:1-8a
The Resurrection of Jesus
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.And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?’ When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 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. 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.’ 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.
Reflection
When my grandfather passed away I was devastated and full of grief. In the midst of my mourning I took comfort that I would be reunited with him again, because he was a believer in Jesus who is the “resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).
If we go over two thousand years back in time, we can imagine the devastation and grief of Jesus’ women disciples at the empty tomb of Jesus. They were there to embalm his dead body with spices, but instead were the first to hear of Jesus’ resurrection.
The angel said to them: “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” (Mark 16:6-8). These words though spoken to women in grief, have something to say to us right now.
I think it is significant that the angel specifically mentioned Peter’s name here, because it is an example of Gods grace to us all in the midst of our failures. Like Peter we may intend to live lives fully committed to Jesus, yet in reality we may often miss the mark. How amazing that at the scene of announcing Jesus resurrection particular care is given for Peter to hope again and be renewed by the Easter events!
Lastly, the women were told to tell Peter that Jesus wanted to go meet him in Galilee, the place where Peter’s discipleship began when he was a fisherman. But, Peter stayed in Jerusalem locked behind locked doors scared and afraid.
When my grandfather died, my grief kept me locked up until I thought of Jesus resurrecting power. It returned my thoughts to my own personal ‘Galilee’, the place where my faith began. Like the women at the grave, I too have heard the proclamation of Jesus resurrection. This powerful reality gave me the hope I needed to go on after my grandfathers’ death and also the renewal to go on when I fail in my Christian walk.
With Jesus there is always hope to start again, the resurrection of hopeless situations and the renewal of our faith.
NM, Newmarket Baptist
newmarketbaptist.church 
