Week 6: Friday & Sunday

Friday Scripture: Mark 15:42-47:

When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for some time. When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph.  Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.  Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid.

Sunday Scripture:  Mark 16:1-8:
When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him.  But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Reflection:

All through Lent, we have walked with Jesus in Jerusalem, the temple, a couple meals, a garden, a trial, a cross, and now, a tomb.  And that’s where our journey with him ends, he is laid in tomb, which is sealed up with a large, heavy stone.  Jesus is dead.  Our walk with him ends. Or does it?  Again, we know the end of the story.  Jesus is alive!  Oddly, though, Mark ends his story with no Jesus on the scene.  Jesus is alive, but he has gone on ahead, and we are called to follow him back to the place Mark began the story of Jesus, Galilee.


This Jesus-less ending feels a little odd.  Yet, it is a reflection of our walk of faith, literally.  We put one faith foot in front of the other, sometimes stumbling, sometimes going smoothly.  That’s what faith does.  That’s what faith is.  We follow the One who goes ahead of us.

Invitations:

  • Reflect on this week’s scripture.  Are there any words or ideas that especially resonate with you or challenge you?

  • Next week is Holy Week.  Look back at your walk with Jesus through the six weeks of these reflections.  What might be one blessing (or challenge) you experienced during our study that you would like to reflect on again on the days of Holy Week?

  • Read the added endings to Mark’s gospel in 16:8-20 where Jesus does make an appearance.


Prayer:
Jesus,

I want to walk with you through this Holy Week.

Open the eyes of my heart to see you more clearly.

Open the ears of my heart to hear more clearly your love for me.

Amen.