“And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.” Mark 16:6 ESV
Reflection: how are you seeking Jesus?
Peter is in hiding. Perhaps alone, by himself, crushed by what he had done towards his Lord. He had denied even knowing Him multiple times. But, there is another side of the story of Peter. In fact, there are many to consider. Although Peter failed miserably when confronted, from what we know he might have been the only one who followed the mob after they had captured Jesus. He followed Him all the way to the high priest’s house. Why? We might say that he was probably curious to find out what they would do to Jesus. But, there clearly was more than just curiosity. He was also seeking Jesus, even though it was from a distance. And, from other accounts, we know that Jesus was fully aware that Peter was close. That he was seeking Him, wanting to follow Him. Peter just didn’t have the strength and courage yet to stand up and fight for his Lord.
Early on the first day of the week, we read about three women who also were seeking Jesus. “When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb.” Mark 16:1-2 ESV It was the first opportunity to go see the body, to mourn over Him, to also prepare and anoint His body properly for burial. They could have waited. They could have even slept in. But before the sun rose, at 4 or 5 in the morning, they must have knocked on some merchant’s door to buy burial spices. We can only imagine how persistent they must have knocked to make this purchase that early. And, they rush off towards the grave. Seeking to once more be with their Lord.
We know this was all done in a rush. Because, they hadn’t even considered the most critical factor, to even be able to see Jesus. “And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?”” Mark 16:3 ESV. And, although they suddenly realized that these three women could not access the grave, to get to Jesus, it didn’t stop them. They went all the way to the gravesite. Seeking Him. “And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed.” Mark 16:4-5 ESV
Jesus’ body wasn’t there. In the focus verse today, we read the angel’s words to them ““Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”” Mark 16:6b-7 ESV. What we should notice here today is that the angel knew that not only that they were seeking Jesus by the fact that they were there, but calling out also the disciples, and Peter. Notice here that Peter was called out specifically, by name, by the angel. It is amazing to think about, that it was known throughout Heaven, that they were seeking Jesus, and specifically the situation with Peter.
It is so comforting to read, to know that these imperfect people, the women with no plan but a desire to be with and serve Jesus, these trembling and fearful disciples, and the denying Peter, were the ones who Jesus chose to call to ministry. To follow Him. And they did, stumbling along the way. But Jesus knew their hearts, their love for Him. Although we are fearful at times, perhaps in hiding from time to time, let us always continue to seek Him, our Lord. Until the day we will all see Him, in all His glory.
