Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

“But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene who was crucified. He has been raised, he is not here! See the place where they laid him! But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you.”” (Mark 16:6-7)

Chapter fifteen continues Jesus’ trial before the Roman authorities – whose agreement the chief priests needed in order to get Jesus executed. They brought Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor. Pilate questioned Jesus, but Jesus refused to answer the charges. He gave Pilate nothing to work with. Pilate saw no reason to condemn Jesus. He even gave them the choice between innocent Jesus and a brutal murderer. They picked the killer. Pilate signed off on it and Jesus was turned over to the soldiers who brutally beat Him. Jesus was in such bad shape that they had to grab someone from the crowd to carry the cross for Jesus.

Jesus was crucified on the hill Golgotha between two thieves. Pilate had a sign nailed to the cross above Jesus’ head that read ‘King of the Jews’ in several languages. As He hung there, Jesus was mocked by everyone – even the thieves. A great darkness came over the land, but Jesus hung onto His mission (Psalm 22) even as He suffered for it. Jesus finally gave a great cry and released His spirit so that He died. Women who had followed Him in His ministry were witnesses to it. Jesus was given to Joseph of Arimathea (a possible uncle of Jesus) who placed Jesus in a tomb he owned. A stone was placed before the entrance and two of the Mary’s saw where He was laid.

Chapter sixteen opens early in the morning on the day after the Sabbath. The Mary’s and Salome went to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body as per the burial custom of the Jews. But when they got there, the stone was moved and the tomb open. They entered and a young man in a white robe was sitting there. They were scared, but he told them they didn’t need to be afraid. That Jesus was alive again and waiting for them and the disciples in Galilee. They fled the tomb amazed and frightened. Because they were frightened, they said nothing to anyone.

That is the traditional ending of the book of Mark. But some manuscripts include this:

Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, who was still at the tomb. She went and told the others. But the others didn’t believe it. After that, Jesus appeared to two of the disciples who were walking in the country. They told the others about it, but they weren’t believed either. Then Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they ate supper and He reprimanded them for their unbelief. He was disappointed that they had hardened their hearts to the truth and not believed those who had seen Him after He was resurrected.

That’s where those manuscripts end. But a few include this:

Jesus told them to go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creatures. He told them that those who believe and are baptized will be saved, but those who do not will be condemned. He spoke of signs that would follow the preaching as proof the preaching was true. After that, Jesus was received up to heaven and sat at the right hand of God. And the disciples went out preaching everywhere, and Jesus worked with them and confirmed the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

Summary

Key Players: God, Jesus, Disciples, Pilate, Chief Priests, Jews, Marys and Salome

Key Verse(s): Mark 15:6-15; 16:1-8