The Gospel of MarkSample

Continuing to look at the verse 8 ending, Erin Vroom says, “We may not see the risen Jesus, but we do know his tomb is empty.”

In light of this information, she suggests that Mark is inviting his readers into the mystery of the empty tomb. We know that the body has gone somewhere, but where? Each of us must decide how we will respond to the empty tomb of Jesus. This is an approach Mark has taken for his whole gospel. It is seeking to answer whether Jesus is Messiah or not. He only gives us his own thoughts in the very first verse: “in the beginning of the good news about Jesus, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1). This is the only time Mark says what he thinks, the rest of his gospel is to challenge us, the readers, to decide for ourselves. Also, notice how this is “the beginning” of the good news, Mark wants his gospel to be an imaginative and experiential journey for his readers. Remember, he is writing at a time when loads of people who had actually met Jesus would have still been alive, he is writing for those who never met Jesus personally, people like you and me. He is inviting us into the mystery.