Mark 16 Commentary
The angel takes the form of a young man. Let not the women think the young man possibly moved away the big stone. Leave the miracle alone!
Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome: it’s the same team that took care of Jesus’ needs in Galilee. They have shown up here to show their devotion and love to the dead Jesus. These blessed women. Always giving!
On their way here, the women had strategized in vain on how they would remove the large stone from the entrance of the tomb. Some have joked that the men were in hiding, also strategizing! The shame which has forever stuck on the menfolk, thanks to the Twelve and their bravery!
See how the angel specifically singles out Peter for the good news! He was the most broken. It appears heavenly grace is strongest around the worst of us!
Now the women are afraid. Interesting! Right up to this point, they have not been afraid at all. They openly show up to pay homage and express their love for the dead Jesus. Never mind the danger posed by the chief priests and the scribes!
Are they afraid of the angel or the miracle itself? Are they afraid of the news? But never mind; women talk most when they are afraid! Not now, though. Probably because they have instructions for Peter and the disciples only. You would guess the wisdom here is that the disciples must get out of Jerusalem safely and the planned appearances of the LORD Jesus must proceed unperturbed.
We also know humanity reacts this way in the presence of the awesomeness of divinity. The disciples reacted the same way when the LORD calmed down the storm! Mark 4 verse 41.
To the faithful, even in death, Jesus is as valuable as He was when alive. Joseph of Arimathea has shown us the way and so have the women. Even a gentile soldier watching over the proceedings concludes that Jesus is indeed the Son of God. The centurion probably only hears the gospel from the chief priests as they mockingly repeat the sermons of Jesus. In addition to what he has seen, this is enough evidence.
Mark invites the reader to examine the evidence presented, the events, the teachings, and the final hours of Jesus. Could he be the Messiah? Mark also presents us with a rich lineup of men and women who come to interact and follow Jesus: the poor, the rich, the sick, the demon-possessed, the young, the old, men, women, men of status like Joseph of Arimathea, civil servants, fishermen, prominent women, Jews, gentiles, Samaritans, the blind, the list is endless. They aren’t fools.
Mark ends his gospel by citing the reaction of the women. “Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.” It is the reaction of mankind when divinity shows up. Has this story brought you to this point? Ponder.
More resources visit http://www.lovingscripture.com
LOVING SCRIPTURE 