200. Don’t Be Alarmed – Mark 16:5-6
As the tomb of Jesus came into view, the women had seen to their surprise that the massive stone had somehow been rolled away. In shock and confusion, they hurried to enter the tomb to see what had happened. “As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him”. – Mark 16:5-6
199. Look Up! – Mark 16:4
As the women had walked to the tomb early on Sunday morning, they were worried about how they would ever be able to roll away the stone. Their steps were slow and heavy. As they approached the tomb, they were naturally downcast, contemplating the sad task ahead of them. Let’s see what happens next. But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. – Mark 16:4
198. Who Will Roll the Stone Away? – Mark 16:2
As the women take that long, sad walk to the tomb of Jesus, they have a very practical question in mind. And their question is yet another marker of the authenticity of Mark’s account of the resurrection. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” – Mark 16:2
197. When the Sabbath Was Over – Mark 16:1
The Sabbath lasted from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday. Jesus has been in the tomb from late Friday afternoon and throughout all of Saturday and Saturday night. It is now Sunday morning. When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. – Mark 16:1
196. The Eye-Witnesses to the Burial – Mark 15:47
The greatest historical claim of Christianity is that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. This was an absurd claim to make in an ancient culture that considered itself highly sophisticated and in which the concept of bodily resurrection did not exist at all. That’s why the first believers in the resurrection of Jesus were always open to the attack that their faith was based on a lie. And that’s also why the details that Mark adds to his gospel are so important. They highlight the factual authenticity of his account. He has just told us that Joseph of Arimathea has sealed the tomb of Jesus with a large stone. So, now look at what he writes next.
195. The Stone – Mark 15:46
Joseph of Arimathea has just placed Jesus’ body in a tomb cut out of rock. It’s very important to notice what he did next. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.– Mark 15:46
194. The Burial of Jesus – Mark 15:46
Now that Pilate has given Joseph of Arimathea permission to have the body, Joseph returns to the place of execution to take charge. He has to move quickly, because the sun is low, and once it sets, the Sabbath begins, during which no work can be done. So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. – Mark 15:46
193. Pilate Was Surprised – Mark 15:25-26
Joseph of Arimathea, a leading member of the Sanhedrin has sought an audience with Pontius Pilate to request the body of Jesus. For many reasons, this was a highly unusual request. Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. – Mark 15:25-26
192. A Secret Admirer – Mark 15:42-43
When criminals were crucified, part of the humiliation was that their bodies weren’t buried. To lie unburied was a matter of great shame in the ancient world. Instead, the bodies of the victims of crucifixion were thrown out into the open among the rubbish, typically to be eaten by the dogs who scavenged among the rubbish heaps and the places of execution. But Jesus had a secret admirer, who decided that Jesus wouldn’t be dishonoured in this way.
191. The Women at the Cross – Mark 15:30-41
Throughout his gospel, Mark highlights how much opposition Jesus received throughout his ministry. And it’s the same at the cross. Mark has already mentioned that the disciples had run for their lives, and we know that John was the only one of their number there. Interestingly, however, Mark doesn’t mention John. Instead, Mark makes a point of highlighting some very important people who were there to support Jesus.
