MARK - My Words (The End)

 

As the clock ticked towards ‘tools down’, on Sabbath Eve, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a part of the ruling apparatchik, quickly went to Pilate and requested that he be allowed to dispose of Jesus body.  Pilate was surprised that Jesus had died so quickly.  Because of Joseph's status, he was allowed to take the body.

Joseph instructed the temple guard to place the body in a tomb he had prepared for himself.  The body was wrapped in linen, and place on a shelf in the cave.  Jesus’ friends Mary, and his mother, watched where the body had been place.

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At sun down on Saturday, when people were allowed to work again, some of the 'Marys' and Salome purchased burial spices to anoint Jesus’ body.  At day break the following day they raced down to the cemetery but were amazed to find the tomb was left open.  They entered the cave, and saw a young man dressed in bright white.  

“Don’t be alarmed” he said, "You are looking for Jesus who was executed a few days ago.  This is where his body lay, but he has been brought back to life.  Go and tell his friends.  Remember, he explained this would happen to you many times."

The three women fled out of that place trembling.  The didn’t know what to do.

This is an official ending to the book of Mark.  I love it.  It's so full of suspense.  Despite everything Jesus said and did, we all expected the order to follow - beginning, middle and end.  We have to accept endings.  the sooner we accept reality, the easier it is to live.  But Jesus never said this would be the end.  He was very clear that there was a point to all this madness, and that he would not be leaving us.

We know that these women did not do nothing, but if they had....well we might be signing off for good here.