April 21, 2024, Day 1 of Week 4 Daily Dose of Hope

Daily Dose of Hope
April 21, 2024 
Day 1 of Week 4
 
Scripture reading for today – Genesis 41-42; Mark 16
 
Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional that complements New Hope’s five day a week Bible reading plan.  We have made it to week four!  Good job everyone.  Please give me feedback.  I am learning a lot, but I want this to be useful for you as well.
 
Let’s start with our two chapters in Genesis.  It’s obvious God’s had his hand on Joseph.  Whether Joseph is in prison, interpreting dreams, or running Pharoah’s food operations, he leans on God.  Let’s be clear that Joseph did not flourish because of any special skills or abilities.  He did so well because he listened to God in everything.  He made no compromises, didn’t take short-cuts, and simply trusted completely in God.  We will talk more about Joseph’s brothers visiting Egypt tomorrow, but it’s obvious that Joseph’s character is exceptional even when faced with grief and uncertainty.
 
Okay, I really want to spend most of our time today on Mark 16.  We have made it to the best part of the story–the resurrection!  I absolutely love this passage.  But before we dig in, let’s talk context.   Jesus was crucified on a Friday because the Jews had to have it done and over with before Sabbath (which for them runs from Friday sundown to Saturday sundown).  Thus, the women who wanted to anoint Jesus’ body for burial had to wait until the Sabbath was over before heading over to the tomb.  
 
Three women are specifically mentioned: Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome.  I want to point out that these women were also specifically mentioned at being present at the crucifixion.  They watched Jesus die.  I want you to think about how the reality of suffering and intense grief is hanging over this whole scene. These were women who walked alongside Jesus, took care of his needs, and loved him.  It is because they loved him that they wanted to ensure that his dead body was properly prepared for burial.  Jews did not embalm but they ceremonially washed the body, wrapped it in cloths, and used herbs and spices to help with deterioration and smell.  In that culture, a proper burial was quite important, it demonstrated honor for that individual; for these women, this was an act of love and respect.
 
As they head over to prepare the body, they discuss what they think will be their biggest obstacle and decide it’s going to be the heavy stone.  They were at the crucifixion.  They knew that a large stone was rolled in front of the tomb.  How will they move it?  What’s interesting to me here is that they have no inkling that the tomb would be empty.  Jesus has taught about his death and resurrection but no one got it. 
 
Now, when they get to the tomb and the stone was the least of their worries. It had already been rolled away.  When they entered the tomb, it’s completely empty except for a young man dressed in a white robe just sitting there.  Mark doesn’t say so, but it’s implied this man is an angel.  The scripture says the women are alarmed.  They have been so consumed by their grief and suffering, so focused on taking care of this final act for Jesus, and then the stone is gone and there is this angel-like character sitting inside the tomb.  Of course they are alarmed.  And this man/angel person tells them that Jesus wasn’t there because he had risen, just as he said he would. This is all a bit much for these ladies. They were scared.  They flee and say nothing to anyone. And the book of Mark ends.
 
Over the years, people have added more appealing endings to this Gospel.  You may even have some of these manuscripts added to the end of chapter 16.  But most scholars agree these were added on later. While Mark’s Gospel may feel a bit unsatisfying in how it so abruptly ends, it also creates a sense of anticipation and yes, even HOPE.  We don’t have to m