An Unfinished Story: Our Role in God’s Narrative
In the stillness of dawn, as the first rays of sunlight pierced the darkness, three women approached the tomb of Jesus with heavy hearts and spices in their hands, intending to anoint His body. This moving scene from Mark 16:1-8 captures a moment of deep grief and the cusp of an extraordinary revelation—the resurrection of Jesus Christ. At the opened tomb, an angelic figure announced the unthinkable, “He has risen; he is not here,” their initial reaction was terror and amazement. This narrative invites us, as modern-day Christians, to reflect deeply on our approach to faith, especially in the face of the unknown and the seemingly impossible.
The angel’s message to the women, “Go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you,” underscores a fundamental aspect of Christian life: the call to witness. Just as the women were told to share the news of Jesus’ resurrection, we are to be messengers of hope and redemption in a world that often seems empty of both. This task requires courage and conviction, especially when met with skepticism or indifference. It challenges us to live out our faith visibly and authentically, embodying the Gospel’s transformative power in our daily interactions and choices.
The resurrection narrative emphasizes the importance of faith in the face of uncertainty. Despite their fear and astonishment, the women were willing to step into the unknown, trusting in the words of Jesus and the angel. This speaks volumes about the nature of faith—it’s not about having all the answers or seeing the whole staircase but taking the first step in trust. As followers of Christ, we should not lean on our own understanding but trust in the promises of God, even when they defy our expectations or ability to understand. This requires surrendering control, a willingness to embrace mystery, and an openness to seeing God work in unexpected ways.
The women’s reaction—to flee from the tomb in silence, despite being commanded to speak—reflects our own hesitations and fears in proclaiming our faith. It’s a human response to divine encounters marked by awe and trepidation. Yet, their eventual obedience, leading to the spread of the good news, illustrates the transformative journey of faith. Each of us is on a similar journey, called to move beyond our fears, to find our voice, and to share the message of Christ’s love and resurrection. In doing so, we affirm our belief in the risen Lord and invite others into a life-changing relationship with Him.