…and they would not believe it - April 14

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 103; PM Psalm 111114Exod. 12:28–391 Cor. 15:12–28Mark 16:9–20

The first person that Jesus encounters in Mark’s Gospel is Mary Magdalene. And she goes and shares with others that he is alive and has been seen by her. We probably shouldn’t be surprised that they don’t believe her. We don’t have the best track record. At the end of the Gospel is this interesting little passage, “those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing it will not hurt them;”. What?!? Is that what this faith thing is about?

As much I loved reading Daniel Covington’s Salvation on Sand Mountain (a book about snake handling, cyanide drinking faith communities in Alabama), I am not ready to claim the crux of the Gospel lies on that little passage. But I do think that what we are asked to believe is remarkable, as bold as any truth we have ever learned, and like the disciples, we far too easily dismiss the words of someone coming to proclaim hope: the sinner is forgiven and new life is being resurrected. We far too easily dismiss the person who has hurt us, or lied, or stolen cheated, or fallen off the wagon again. We far too often carry around in our own lives a weight or millstone that we can’t seem to shake. We far too often deny the Resurrection. Or we don’t listen to the voice we should trust.

The mystery of the empty tomb is pretty unbelievable. Maybe that’s why all those we encounter that first learned this truth were astonished, even afraid. Who should we be listening to and how does it change our life, when we believe too?

- John+

Questions for Reflection:

  • What are the things in your life that weigh you down or keep you from experiencing life eternal?

  • What would it take or what would it look for you to be free from these concerns?

Daily Challenge

  • Work to recall or remember a time when you dismissed the hope of another person. Consider how it would have changed the situation if you had believed.

John Burruss