…Mark 16:8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
You can see how people would not read this as a fitting ending. Because there’s more to the story. The women eventually did tell the others. And the all the disciples ended up seeking Jesus in Galilee. But here’s how this is a fitting ending. Mark wrote this book to tell of the gospel, the good news, of Jesus Christ, the Son of God – that’s his opening line. And his closing narrative ends the book with the centurion responsible for the crucifixion confessing that Jesus was the Son of God because of the way Jesus died. And then he gives us an example of courage related to the death of Jesus by Joseph. But the final line in the book, is that these women “said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” And instead of closing with a scene of restoration and commission that the other books end with, Mark leaves us with a narrative cliffhanger which becomes his personal challenge. Who will take courage, and confess Jesus as the Son of God, and live for Jesus as the Son of God? Again, we know the disciples eventually did this. But Mark is leaving it open for the readers. Who among the readers will take courage?
The only proper confession of Jesus as the Son of God, begins by acknowledging the Jesus as the Son of God in his death, and by associating with Jesus in his death. And like the original disciples feared, that may cost you your life. But it’s the only way of life.
Philippians 3:10 …that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death…
If you want the life of Christ, you must start with his death. You must be courageous to acknowledge the death of Christ as sufficient to make atonement for your sin, and then live like Jesus was the Son of God…
