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"The Good News"

September 20, 2020 Speaker: Pastor Bob Davis

Passage: Mark 16

He is alive. Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! It was true that first morning when the women went to the tomb and it is true today: Jesus is alive.

Perhaps it is enough to say that and let you go home and reflect upon the scope and significance of that truth: He is alive.

The grave could not hold him.

Death could not keep him.

Sin could not bind him.

He is alive.

Today we conclude the gospel of Mark. We started last July, when we heard these opening words: “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” It was the beginning. It was the dawning of a new kingdom: the kingdom of God revealed in our midst.

We conclude the sermon series and the gospel with the mystery of the victory of the kingdom of God that Jesus won. This is the message we proclaim every Easter; yet it also is the message we proclaim each and every Sunday. It is the message we proclaim each and every time we declare Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father. It is the message we proclaim each and every time we share what God has done for us, how our lives have been transformed because of what God has done in Jesus Christ. It is good news. It is the good news. There is no better news. Really.
Because we are concluding this series this morning, and because this is precisely the point Mark was making in writing the gospel in the first place, I want to cover some ground we have been over before.

I. Jesus is who Mark says He is

If you think or go back to the beginning of our look (last July), we surmised that Mark wrote to early believers in Rome, encouraging them to remain steadfast in their belief despite persecutions and oppression by the Roman Emperor.

Jesus began his ministry with a proclamation, “The time is fulfilled, the Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news.” Does that hold up in a time when Rome is in power? Is it true when the circumstances we see would suggest otherwise? Yes. It was true and is true because Jesus was more than just words.

His ministry was characterized by a series of amazing events, demonstrating his power and raising up the question, “Who is this?”

He called the disciples and they followed.

He delivered a man from an unclean spirit and taught with authority.
He healed Peter’s mother in law, he healed lepers and the lame. They asked, who is this that exercises authority over people, over spirits, and over illness? Who is this?

He was presented with the paralyzed man on a mat. He said, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” There was grumbling because only God has the authority to declare that sins are forgiven; Jesus’ response is instructive here this morning, “Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up take your mat and walk’? We know what they did not know: we know how difficult it is to have the authority to forgive sins. Jesus said, but so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,” – he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, stand up, take your mat, and go to your home.” Who is this?

He calmed the sea. He went to non-Jewish land and commanded out the legion of demons from the man in the tombs; he brought back to life and community the man who was living in hell. He brought back from the dead the daughter of the leader of the synagogue. He fed the multitudes. Who is this?

And then things turned.

Jesus asked the disciples, who do you say that I am? “You are the Christ,” said Peter, speaking for the disciples and all of Israel.

Immediately after Peter’s confession, Jesus began to tell them of the work of the Son of God: that he would go to Jerusalem; be rejected by the chief priests, scribes, and elders; that he would be crucified; and then that he would rise again in three days.  The second half of Mark’s gospel is an extended Passion narrative; Jesus’ passion meaning his suffering on behalf of others.

All those things happened, just as he told them – the rejection by the chief priests, the scribes and the Pharisees. They tried to trick Jesus, they tried to embarrass him, they tried to get him to make mistakes. He confounded them at every step.

He rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday with Messianic imagery, hearing the shouts of the crowd calling to him with messianic language. “Hosanna,” meaning “Save us Lord.” He taught, he spoke, he responded; in all things he remained obedient to God’s call on his life. “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

He was betrayed. He was deserted. He was arrested. He was charged. He was convicted of blasphemy, then brought to the Romans for the charge of sedition (or treason) for claiming someone other than Caesar was King. In order to avoid a riot, Pilate washed his hands and delivered him to the guards. The guards beat and mocked him. They humiliated him and then they crucified him.

Then, as Jesus breathed his last, a commander in the Roman guard – representing both Gentiles everywhere and the most powerful government in the world – confessed, “Truly this man was the Son of God,” says the Centurion as he watches Christ crucified. He bore witness on behalf of the Gentiles.

But that was not the end of the story. It seemed like it, but it was not the end of the story. That was Friday. Today is Sunday.

Just as he told them, he rose from the dead. The tomb was empty. “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here.”

To believers suffering persecution in Rome who wondered, “Is this worth it?”; to believers who wondered, “does it make any difference?”; to believers who doubted, “Could this really be true?”; Mark answers with a resounding, “Yes.” Jesus is exactly who he said he is. He is the Christ. He is the Savior. He is the Son of God.

To believers today watching the news 24/7, to believers who are experiencing anxiety at the drumbeat of pandemic, election, social unrest, natural disasters of fire, earthquakes, and hurricanes, to believers who are doubting and wondering about whether God is real and will show up, Mark answers with a resounding, “Yes.” Jesus is exactly who he said he is. He is the Christ. He is the Savior. He is the Son of God. And, he defeated death and has given us the victory. Make no mistake: the gospel we proclaim is good news. It means we do not have to live in fear.

Let me digress for a moment to deal with something many of you may be wondering. Thus far, I have been preaching through Chapter 16:8; what about verses 9-20? If you were looking at our pew Bibles – which you cannot because we put them away until this pandemic is under control – or if you are looking at your phone app or your Bible at home, you will see that these verses are marked differently. In the NRSV, the pew Bible, there is a double bracket around these verses. You may have a note indicating that scholars disagree about whether these verses belong. Disagreement may be an understatement.

David Garland of the New International Version Application Commentary has the best analysis of what these verses are and how and why they have found their way into print.  

The two main extant endings to Mark testify that some early readers did not appreciate an ending that left everything in the air. One naturally wants to bring a sense of closure to the story and to pad it with something more uplifting and reassuring. Both variants, in my opinion, are examples of a less-skilled hand trying to fix what the Master had not made explicit or had made too explicit, like the later artists who tried to fix Michelangelo’s masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel by painting clothes on naked figures.

Garland explained:

Convincing arguments tell against the longer ending (16:9–20) as the original ending to Mark. The two oldest Greek manuscripts omit it, along with many versions, and early church fathers show no knowledge of its existence. The longer ending’s vocabulary and style differ strikingly from that found in the rest of Mark and are immediately recognizable. The transition between 16:8 and 16:9 is also awkward. In 16:8, the women are the subject. The subject suddenly switches to Jesus in 16:9, when he appears to Mary Magdalene, completely ignoring the other two women. Mary Magdalene is specifically identified as the one from whom Jesus had cast out seven demons (see Luke 8:2), although she had already been introduced in 15:40, 47 and 16:1 without any such description. Why would the fourth mention of Mary Magdalene suddenly introduce this background? It serves as a tip-off that a later scribe, drawing on other traditions, has added this section. Moreover, all of the material in 16:9–20 appears to be garnered from accounts found in the other three Gospels.

…The existence of a shorter ending suggests that other scribes tried their hand at tying up the loose ends of what was considered a ragged and inconclusive finale. This text appears in only a handful of later manuscripts. The phrase “the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation” clearly smacks of the vocabulary and style of a later era.

…Some scholars who judge these surviving endings to the Gospel to be spurious surmise that the Evangelist never completed the Gospel for some reason. Various imaginative explanations have been proposed. Perhaps Mark was martyred before finishing the task. The Gospel’s ending was possibly damaged in some way and lost. A column or two at the end of the scroll could have been accidentally torn off or tattered from frequent use. If it were a codex, one could imagine that the first leaf would have also been damaged. The Gospel of Mark begins no less abruptly than it ends. Perhaps a birth narrative has disappeared as well as the resurrection narrative. If the ending were lost, presumably from constant use, however, it would have been in use long enough for someone to restore the ending from memory or for other copies to exist. Otherwise, the loss must have occurred almost immediately.[1]

For what it is worth, I believe that Mark intended to conclude the gospel at verse 8. The women “fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” That makes sense. We all have seen that thousand-yard stare look of fear that people have in their eyes when they have experienced something traumatic.

These women had been devoted followers. They had supported Jesus and the disciples in their journeys and ministry. They had been through the catastrophe of the last week. They had suffered as they watched Jesus crucified. They followed Joseph to the tomb to see where Jesus’ dead body was laid. Look at the faces of those staring at the remains of their houses reduced to ash by the fires and you have the idea of the expression these women were wearing. And then, this?
They already were anxious about their work – the final act of religious devotion in making sure that Jesus was properly buried – when they encountered yet another setback: the stone rolled away, the body gone, and an unknown young man sitting where Jesus’ body was supposed to be. The young man’s robe was white, but they did not need to be overwhelmed by an angelic presence to be alarmed. It is no wonder the women were seized with terror and amazement.

“What do you mean he is not here?” That’s a question that was probably asked more than once, even though Mark only gives us a brief part of the conversation.

“I don’t get it, what do you mean he was raised?”

They could see with their eyes that Jesus’ body was not there. They could hear with their ears the message from the young man. It still did not make sense. Mark tells us that they fled from the tomb, seized with terror and amazement, and they said nothing because they were afraid.

They were afraid for some of the same reasons we are afraid. What were they going to tell their friends? Jesus got up from the dead? Who would believe them?

Imagine someone saying these things today – in the current environment. When the news is filled with the number of infected and number of deaths due to the coronavirus, how in-credulous do you think people would be if you starting talking about how someone was raised from the dead? Yes, you: put yourself in their shoes and imagine what it must have been like to head back from the tomb with this message to explain. Everyone knows dead people do not get up; yet that was what they were supposed to say.

They knew they were not going to be considered credible. Having to explain that Jesus’ body was not in the tomb; well, to face the ridicule of others who would dismiss what they were saying – that would have simply compounded their grief.

For us, the fact that Mark reports that the women found the empty tomb adds to the historical credibility – and not simply because we are more sensitive. Rather, their lack of status and their inclusion in Mark’s account suggests he is reporting what happened – not what should have happened.

II. Now, what?

Mark’s gospel concludes with the mystery and wonder of the empty tomb. Mark was aware of the resurrection, trusted in it, and was an evangelist for it: so, why did later scribes feel the need to add the specifics? Mark wanted to make readers wrestle with the meaning of the empty tomb. Because Jesus was raised, what then? What does that mean for me?

For the early readers in Rome, it was an answer to the question, “Is faith worth it?” Jesus endured the worst the Roman empire could dish out and overcame it. He did it in such a way that they could trust the promises he made about what it would mean for them. They, too, could overcome. In Jesus, there was hope.

For us today – in a world of chaos wondering if there is anything that can make sense of it all – the message is the same for us. Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, the author and the perfecter of our faith. I have said this a number of times throughout this series, but it bears repeating today: Jesus did not remove his disciples from trouble; he walks through it with them. He walks through the trials of life. He walks through the trauma of death. He walks through those things with us in order to lead us beyond them.

If you are struggling with your health, know that Jesus’ promise, “I will be with you, even to the end of the age” applies to you. The pain you are suffering, the brokenness of your body you are feeling, the frailty you are enduring; he is with you through it. The death that is looming either in the background or immediately in front of you; he is with you. “If we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” (Romans 6:5) Because of Jesus, death does not have the last word: you have hope.

If you are struggling with your finances, if things are difficult and money is short, know that Jesus’ promise, “I will be with you, even to the end of the age,” applies to you. This pandemic has hit people hard physically and financially, and this time is a sure reminder that we cannot trust money to protect us from trials. Money can go away, stuff can go away, none of our possessions or holdings can keep us safe or lift us over the brokenness of life. Only the author of creation can; and Jesus’ resurrection shows us that God can and does bring order out of chaos, abundance out of scarcity, and life out of death. Because of Jesus, you have hope.

If you are struggling with loneliness, difficult relationships or grieving lost love, know that Jesus’ promise, “I will be with you, even to the end of the age,” applies to you. You are not alone. He does not promise that you will not experience loneliness; he knew loneliness. He does not promise you will not have difficult relationships; he knew difficult relationships. He did not say you will not grieve lost love; he knew those who would deny him and those who would betray him. He does promise to be with you. Because of Jesus, you have hope.

If you are anxious about the state of the nation and this upcoming election, know that Jesus’ promise, “I will be with you, even to the end of the age,” applies to you. “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to put confidence in mortals. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.” (Psalm 118:8-9). “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Whatever happens, if you have put your trust in the LORD, your heart and mind are guarded in Christ Jesus. You have hope.

If you are wondering, what should I do? There are two things you should do.

First, remember the joy of your salvation. If you have already received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, you know the wonder of God’s grace and mercy. If today is the first day and you are accepting Jesus now, please contact me or someone so that we can pray with you and for you. Remember. And praise God.

Second, share it. The good news is not just for you: it is for you and for those who are far off. Don’t worry that you will not be credible, you will not be. The power of the gospel is not dependent upon your credibility or my credibility; it is dependent on what God has done in Jesus. And, thank God, in Jesus’ resurrection, we have reason to believe that God is credible.
The time is fulfilled. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent. Believe the good news.

Friends, the good news is that Christ is risen. He is risen, indeed.

Amen.

 

[1] David Garland, New International Version Application Commentary, Mark, p. 611.