There are two kinds of Christians in the world—those who love the Gospel of Mark and those who don’t. (OK, maybe it’s a subset of Christians, but in any case, this is a big debate in my household). I confess that I fall into the latter camp. That is true for me for the whole of Mark, but it’s especially true when it comes to the description of the resurrection. Personally, I like my Lent to end on a high note, and my Easter to trumpet in with a bang. The Easter Vigil, my favorite service of the liturgical year, transitions from darkness into light with joy and celebration: Christ is risen; he is risen indeed!
In Mark, however, that exclamation point seems more like a question mark, or even an ellipsis. Christ is risen? Christ is risen…. In Mark, Easter joy is replaced by fear and trembling. What just happened here? Is Christ really risen? And if so, what does that mean?
But, as we ponder the scene here, even those of us who are not big Mark fans must concede that Mark’s description of the Easter event carries with it an important witness to the sweeping transformative nature of the resurrection.
The fear that the women experience may better be described as awe: they are awe-struck at this event that is awe-some. The Son of God has been raised from the dead, validating his radical message of forgiveness, repentance and a new social order. In the empty tomb, they understand that the world has been turned upside down, and nothing will ever be the same again. It is simply overwhelming.
Mark’s Gospel keeps the solemnity in Easter; it demands that we not forget the weight and consequence of this event that has occurred. And, it leaves us, readers, in the role of proclaimer, invited—impelled even—to speak through the fear and share the good news. Mark reminds us this is an awesome responsibility, even as we give thanks for the opportunity to share such a welcome message of blessing for the whole earth and the whole human family.
More than any other Gospel, Mark’s story continues through to today, to our own Christian discipleship and witness, reminding us that we are a part of this old, old overwhelming story, experienced ever new, every Easter. Christ is risen; he is risen indeed!
And now, let me thank you for walking with the Wartburg community on our Lenten journey this season. We hope you have enjoyed each day’s devotion, and have enjoyed getting to know our community members a little better. We wish you every blessing this Easter season and hope that we can continue to connect with you in the months to come, and welcome you soon back to the Castle.
Rev. Kristin Johnston Largen, PhD
President
Wartburg Theological Seminary
