In Mark 16:6-7, an angel shared the good news of Jesus’ resurrection with three women, and the women were told to share that news with His disciples. What happened next makes sense, but is perhaps not what we would expect.
Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.
Mark 16:8 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/mrk.16.8.NIV
I get it. This was a lot to process, after all. In one weekend, these women had gone from despair over seeing their rabbi, healer, and friend put to death; to performing their duty to prepare His body out of respect; to something totally unexpected and amazing! As a result, I don’t think that we can judge them for being afraid and confused, or for keeping this news to themselves at first. (I suspect that they probably talked among themselves, though, reassuring each other that they had all seen and heard the same thing.)
A colleague once shared how someone else had stopped by his office one time and asked how he liked it. He told her that the location was too distracting, with people and noise all around. Only later did he learn that she was the new head of HR!
On the day that Jesus was raised from the dead, I wonder if part of the women’s behavior and emotions came from starting to realize just who Jesus really was, and thinking back to time that they had spent with Him in the past (before they understood more of the details that were now coming to light). [See also Black, p.287, footnote 2]
We know, though, that the word did get out [see Luke 24:9-10, for instance]. In fact, with confidence that was given by the Holy Spirit, thousands heard this good news at Pentecost, and the gospel continues to be shared around the world since then.
So, like the women who were given good news and instructions at the tomb, let’s make good use of the same thing: good news and a mandate to share that good news with others. In fact, we have the very same good news to share with a lost and hurting world as these women received: Jesus is risen! (He is risen, indeed!)
Throughout history, other people were crucified by the Romans, and other people were raised from the dead by the power of God, but this was different: God the Father raised Jesus from the dead to pronounce to the world that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, and that Jesus’ selfless sacrifice was sufficient to atone for the sins of the world. No more would our sinful choices have to eternally separate from a righteous and holy God. No more would sin have the last word.
As the angels said at the birth of Jesus, it was good news that the Messiah was born (see Luke 2:10-11). The Messiah was born in Bethlehem, and crucified outside Jerusalem, but His resurrection was God the Father’s confirmation that it was all worth it. The shepherds may have been excited about what was to come, but those who follow the risen Savior have confidence in what has been completed.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for December 21, 2025
References:
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – Mark, by Allen Black. © 1995 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 