Mk 16:1-11 (cont.)
Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. - (9-11)
Though he doesn't say so explicitly, this appearance to Mary apparently happened after the women scattered following the appearance of the angel instructing them to tell the disciples that Jesus was risen from the dead. Even though Jesus had started preparing Peter, James and John following the Transfiguration (9:9-10), the news was too great for the disciples to believe.
I can understand their skepticism on multiple grounds. First of all there was the emotional turmoil they'd just experienced, seeing their hope crushed by Jesus' crucifixion. I can completely understand their hesitation to put any further hope in him. Further, there was the intellectual resistance. They had seen him raise Jairus' daughter (5:22-43), but he had been alive to do it. Or perhaps they didn't fully believe that the girl had indeed died. (Limiting myself here to St. Mark's gospel for examples.)
I struggle with far lesser elements of faith than Jesus' resurrection. I assume it's true, and still doubt the full implications of that assumption with regard to my own guilt. If this story were being told about me, approaching the 20th anniversary of my worst day and describing Jesus' role in my own life and my forgiveness in him, perhaps a neutral observer would write, he would not believe it. But I'm trying to, and asking the Holy Spirit to help me to.
Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief. (9:24)
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