Joel M Bradshaw

5And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.7But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”–Mark 16

The women were in shock and having to take in a bunch of new information that they weren’t fully prepared for. For who actually raises from the dead? The angel helps them with information immensely.

1. HOW TO FEEL. Their anxiety was no longer going to be fed by uncertainty or uninformed fear of their situation.
2. CONNECTED WITH THEM. Their situation was known. They were there to care for the Jesus that was crucified. It might have been comforting to hear their task clearly laid out before them. Especially if they were afraid of the authorities who crucified Jesus.
3. THE NEW REALITY. The simple solution was that Jesus’ body was stolen. Everyone knew that he clearly died and was buried. Dead people stay in their tombs. But the women got a new reality. Jesus was no longer dead and he wasn’t in the tomb anymore. Jesus had risen from the dead. Come see the tomb area for yourself! This simple fact separates our faith from the rest of the world. If you believe God could do this then everything else is gravy.
4. FAITH TIED TO MISSION. Faith leads to action. Believing the angel’s testimony about Jesus would mean they would be the first witnesses, and women at that. They were to go talk to the men, and especially depressed, ashamed Peter. They would be a part of his restoration. These women had the most amazing ministry position! They got to testify! But it did mean that they had to respond indeed in faith.
5. A CERTAIN FUTURE. They would see Jesus again. Their situation had hope; the best of hopes.

So much about this little story connects with us and our uncertain situations. Respond in faith like these women. Welcome to our new followers and thanks for journeying with us in the book of Mark.–JMB