Hi First Presbyterian Church, 

It’s time for our Mid-Week Meet-Up! Did you know that this Sunday is Intergenerational Sunday? Every year, we organize a couple of these types of services, which are designed to be more interactive. Pastor Erin and Craig have planned a great service that will focus on our readings from Luke 3:1-22 and Psalm 61. Plus, the children’s choir will be singing. You won’t want to miss it! 

Today is Day 73 of our one-year Bible reading journey. On Monday, we finished reading the Gospel of Mark. Did you happen to notice anything interesting in Mark 16 - the final chapter of the Gospel? Whichever version of the Bible you were reading, the final chapter of Mark probably had 20 verses, but it also probably indicated somehow that some ancient manuscripts end the Gospel with verse 8. Did you see that? So which is it - does the Gospel of Mark end with 16:8 or 16:20? Scholars make very good arguments one way or the other. For many technical and theological reasons that I won’t go into now, I happen to hold the view that the Gospel of Mark actually ends in 16:8. That means, I believe the Gospel writer intentionally ended the Gospel with Mary Magdalene, the other Mary, and Salome hearing from an angel that Jesus had risen and then fled from the empty tomb saying nothing to anyone out of “terror and amazement.” If this is true, why in the world would the Gospel writer have concluded the Gospel here? It’s kind of an abrupt conclusion that ends on somewhat of a low note.  

Keep in mind that the Gospel of Mark was written about 30 years after the resurrection of Jesus. However, this was just the first written account of his life. The teachings of Jesus and the stories of his life (including his resurrection) were widely known and believed by thousands of people by this time. Christians knew about and believed in the resurrected Lord long before the writing of the Gospel of Mark. They knew that the women eventually proclaimed the news of the resurrection. I think Mark ended his Gospel in 16:8 because of the impact it would have had on the first readers. Think about it. If you had confessed your belief in the resurrected Jesus, committed yourself to live for him, and totally rearranged your life around him even in the face of opposition and persecution, and you read the end of the Gospel which concluded with no one saying anything about his resurrection - how would you feel? You might feel compelled to go out and share the news yourself! In other words, I think Mark ended his Gospel in 16:8 to provoke the early followers of Jesus to share the news of his resurrection themselves! The Gospel of Mark wants its readers - that includes you and me! - to feel that it is our responsibility to share the news of Jesus with others. What an amazing way to write the story of Jesus! Also consider the fact that the Gospel of Matthew ends on a similar note, but with Jesus himself telling his followers: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). 

I encourage you to take this message to heart today. Consider yourself a commissioned evangelist! Every Christian has been given a very important job - to share the news of Jesus with those around us. In this season of thanksgiving, think about how you can share with someone the gratitude you have because of what Jesus has done for you and the whole world. How do you plan to spread this good news? 

Peace to you,
Pastor Aaron