What Jesus Did! 'Trembling and Bewildered!' — Mark 16:8

Mark wanted us to know two crucial things about Jesus. First, Jesus was mighty and powerful, something even the demons recognized and feared. Second, despite all of his power, he submitted himself to the will of the Father and went to the cross to ransom us from sin and death. Mark knew Jesus was raised from the dead. But he used the women and their bewildered fear to remind us of the resurrection — not because they doubted, but because they believed. Jesus changed everything in their understanding of "the Messiah, the Son of God." ^[1] He was willing to go to the cross even though he clearly had the power to prevent it. His dying didn't fit the women's expectations, and they couldn't understand how it could be so. All their hopes had been dashed with his crucifixion, and their lives were ruined with his death. On the Sunday morning in today's verse, however, they found out he was raised from the dead and they were told this good news by an angel at Jesus' empty tomb. How could they not be bewildered and fearful? Their worlds were forever changed. If Jesus could rise from the dead, then what would happen next? If they followed Jesus, what could the resurrected Jesus do through them? And if Jesus could use them to "turn the world upside down" with his message and his follower's courage, what can he do with us? So let's join these faithful women at the empty tomb, bewildered and frightened, but full of expectation at the thought of what lies ahead for us!