Easter Sunday, April 16, 2006

The Worst Kept Secret in the Bible

by Rev. Dr. Jim Carlson

Mark 16:1-8

Asked to teach Greek to seminary students – astonished, trembling. Had to embrace those fears. 

Somehow the work of God in my life. Had to embrace my fears. 

Easter story in Mark 16 is about embracing fears before being able to follow Jesus. 

Mark 16 is a riddle. Original text ends at v. 8, rest of original gospel is lost. 9-20 are later additions. 

Reader is left to speculate original ending: Jesus appeared to disciples in Galilee, reconciled with Peter. 

Still must deal with women. Show verses. Other gospels say more about their involvement.  

Easter story: got up on Sunday, purchased spices, wondered who would roll away the stone.  

Young man sitting on the right side. White robe signifies heavenly messenger. Tells them Jesus has been raised.  

Tells them to notify disciples, especially Peter, that Jesus will meet them in Galilee, as he promised.  

Women fled in fear. End of gospel.  

Put yourself in the place of the women.  

Christian community not afraid to speak the gospel. Sometimes our boldness is annoying. 

Reaction to work of God in the world is often fear. Afraid because we cannot control it.  

Rolling of stone is out of the disciples hands. Young man in white robe is out of their hands. Jesus’ journey to Galilee is out of their hands. Can’t control work of God. 

Church is often not willing to accept secondary role. Relationship between church and society is changing drastically.  

Society no longer listens to the church in matters of morality. Many in church see relationship in terms of a battle. 

React out of fear? Comparison to 19^th century Europe and papal infallibility. 

We cannot act out of fear. Must embrace our fears. No matter what happens, whether the gospel is accepted or rejected, regardless of whether or not some Christians think we’re winning or losing the war to keep this country a Christian nation, we cannot act out of fear.  

Forget that salvation is not our job, but God’s. We forget that Jesus is going ahead of us still. Cultural battle is not ours to win or lose. It’s God’s problem. Reaction of fear is desperate and inappropriate.