3 He Is Risen! He Is Not Here

Palm Sunday we followed Jesus through Jericho on His way up to Jerusalem. He rode a donkey into the city as a king coming to take his throne. Jesus celebrated Passover with His disciples and gave new meaning to the symbols. His body the bread and His blood the cup of the covenant poured out for many.

Judas betrayed Jesus, the soldiers came to arrest Him at night in the garden. Jesus willingly and peaceably gave Himself over to them. He was treated with contempt, abandoned by all who were close to Him, given a mockery of a trial, condemned to die.

We left Jesus on the cross just as He cried out with a loud voice in “My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?”

Mark is telling a story.

Remember Mark gives scant details to intentionally focus on specific themes. Not teaching details of the how and the timeline. The people would already have known most of the details anyway. Just like most of you already know much of the detail and have that in the back of your mind anyway.

Death and Burial

Mark 15:33–47 CSB

33 When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lemá sabachtháni?” which is translated, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” 35 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “See, he’s calling for Elijah.” 36 Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, fixed it on a stick, offered him a drink, and said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down.” 37 Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 Then the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 When the centurion, who was standing opposite him, saw the way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” 40 There were also women watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 In Galilee these women followed him and took care of him. Many other women had come up with him to Jerusalem. 42 When it was already evening, because it was the day of preparation (that is, the day before the Sabbath), 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Sanhedrin who was himself looking forward to the kingdom of God, came and boldly went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’s body. 44 Pilate was surprised that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had already died. 45 When he found out from the centurion, he gave the corpse to Joseph. 46 After he bought some linen cloth, Joseph took him down and wrapped him in the linen. Then he laid him in a tomb cut out of the rock and rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were watching where he was laid.

Death and Burial

V33. At noon, darkness. Judgment.

Mark 15:33-V33. At noon, darkness. Judgment.

v.34 at 3. Jesus cried out with a loud voice (or shouted, called out) Why have you abandoned/forsaken me. Quote of . Other quotes taken from same. Hints not so much of defeat and despondency as it does the same of = victory.

35-36 the Aramaic expression confused those nearby and caused more mocking.

v.37 another loud shout and He died.

v.38 curtain torn from top to bottom – reflects baptism, lots of estimations of the significance. Likely that all of them could work together.

v.39 centurion declares Jesus to be Son of God.

Very interesting that most of the rest of chapters 15 and 16 are about women. Most men have fallen away by now.

v.40 women watching from a distance. They served (looked after, cared for) Jesus in Galilee and followed Him to Jerusalem. Several named specifically who seem to be closer and consistent.

v.42-43 Joseph of Arimathea = Sanhedrin, stepping out of the shadow. Sought permission to care for the dead body. Pilate surprised that Jesus was dead already. Wrapped and buried in tomb. Put large rock over entrance. Only skeleton of details which are important to understanding.

v.47 women watched where Jesus’ body was placed.

When death is victory:

Jesus predicts His suffering, death, rising again. Mark frequently shows how is being fulfilled, including the shout of Jesus on the cross.

Without giving a lot of detail, vv1-21 reflect the suffering and death of the Messiah. Vv22-31 the victory of resurrection. First part among tormentors/enemies, second part among the church/brethren.

Resurrection Announcement

Mark 16:1–8 CSB

1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they could go and anoint him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they went to the tomb at sunrise. 3 They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance to the tomb for us?” 4 Looking up, they noticed that the stone—which was very large—had been rolled away. 5 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side; they were alarmed. 6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he told them. “You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they put him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there just as he told you.’ ” 8 They went out and ran from the tomb, because trembling and astonishment overwhelmed them. And they said nothing to anyone, since they were afraid. [Some of the earliest conclude with .]

Chapter 16 Women played a big part in the end of the story. Story built on witness of several women (at that time women were not able to be witnesses)

v.1-3 women returned to grave/tomb to anoint the body. Went at sunrise. According to other passages, they would surely have heard the prediction of rising again and meeting His disciples in Galilee. No mention of that here, and just like the men, they were expecting Jesus’ body to still be in the grave, needing to move stone.

v.5-6 But the stone was already rolled away. The young man. The announcement.

v.7 challenge to go and tell. Jesus to meet all in Galilee.

v.8 running away in fear and amazement. Said nothing. (could be said nothing as they went, or were too shook up to tell other disciples as they were charged)

Why did Mark end the book this way? What is the point?

Women played a big part in the end of the story. Story built on witness of several women (at that time women were not able to be witnesses)

He doesn’t really highlight much around the resurrection. It is almost just a statement of fact.

The Next Chapter – Your Response

The ending of the book drops off much like it came in at the beginning. Mark gives opportunities just as Jesus does in His parables to reflect, consider our response.

We followed the failure of Judas the betrayer. The failure of Peter, James, and John to stay awake and pray. The failure of all the disciples when Jesus was arrested. Peter’s failure in denying Jesus.

We see the failure of the women as they run in fear and don’t share the news, at least not immediately and not in this story.

We see the failure of everyone to understand, to believe, to trust. There is no hint (here or the other gospels) that anyone is excitedly anticipating Jesus resurrection.

Contrast that with the perfect reliability of Jesus, the reliability of His predictions, the resolve and reliability of His obedient trek to the cross including death.

Now we’re hearing the angel announce that Jesus had risen, just as He said He would.

Significance of death – body given in our place = ransom, blood of covenant

Significance of burial – Jesus is really dead.

Significance of resurrection – life.

He has risen, He is not here.

Going to Galilee where the book started out. Where Jesus first called the disciples to come, follow.

Going back to Galilee now. New life. New start. Shepherd regathering the sheep where it all began.

Mark invites the reader to go meet up with Jesus. To tell others.

Meet with Him.

Go – tell others.

Conclusion

Big Idea: Your failure isn’t permanent.

What About You?

Have you failed Him? Have you fallen? Have you abandoned Him?

Will you go meet with Jesus?

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