WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
April 16th 2006
Easter
Rev. Mark R. Bradshaw-Miller
“The Power of Fear”
Mark 16:1-8
Did anyone find it strange that we stopped reading the Gospel before it was finished? Well, actually we did finish the Gospel. The oldest and most reliable manuscripts we have for the Gospel of Mark actually end with verse eight. However, over time, the Christian community became uncomfortable with this rather strange ending and decided to set the record strait. There is something deeply disturbing about a gospel which ends with the women going away in fear and telling no one what happened. However, I have come to believe that this is actually the best way in which to end the Gospel story.
Unlike the other Gospels, the Gospel of Mark really does not end. There are no resurrection appearances where Jesus arrives on the scene to bring a nice tidy end to the story. Instead, something far more powerful is at work. This ending of the story does not finish the story but works as an invitation to those who hear its words. If we have followed this story from the beginning, we know all about the long journey which seemed to end with death on a cross. However, when we approach the tomb with the women, we find the stone is rolled away, Jesus is gone and there is a messenger telling us that Jesus is alive. However, the first people to hear the Good News are so afraid that they run away and tell no one. Which leaves me wondering: “What is going on?”
Logically, we know that they actually told someone. After all, if they did not tell anyone we would not have any record of this event. So there must be another reason for this ending. This non-ending to the Gospel of Mark is actually an assertion that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has not come to an end. It is a belief that the Gospel is to live on in each person who hears this story. As such, we are now challenged by this ending to answer - how we will respond. Will we respond in fear and remain silent? Or, will we respond in love, sharing what we have seen and heard?
Now, honestly, this seems like a rather simple question for most of us. However, it is not as easy as it might first appear. Remember, that these women were the most faithful disciples of Jesus. As Jesus was being led to his execution, they are the only ones who do not abandon him. They are even attending to him in death when they go to visit the tomb. So, if they, those unafraid of following Jesus to the cross, are afraid at the news of the resurrection, we better take note. It emphasizes that the invitation to follow in the way of Jesus is something that is worthy of fear. The resurrection, the empty tomb, validates Jesus teaching about picking up ones own cross. In others words, the empty tomb moves us from sadness about the tragedy of Jesus death to the fear that his teachings are worthy of following and may even cost us our own lives. Given this reality, these women disciples had every right to be afraid.
Growing up, I was often told that I should fear God. It usually came in the form of this quote: “The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.” I would receive this admonition whenever I would ask questions about faith and the bible for which the adults I was asking had no answer. I learned early on that this was their way of trying to shut me up. What I learned from these attempts to end my questioning was that I really hated the idea of fearing God. If fearing God meant we were not supposed to asks questions and simply remain quiet I wanted no part of this god.
As I prepared for this weeks message, I could hear the echoes of “the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom” running through my head. After all, throughout Mark’s gospel fear shows up every time Jesus performs a miracle or whenever Jesus invites people to follow in the way. Whenever people are faced with the power and the reality of the way, fear is the natural response. As I wondered what it could all mean, I began to think this old admonition might actually carry some wisdom.
The wisdom in this saying has nothing to do with what I was taught as a child. Rather, it is an affirmation of faith which says that only God is worthy of our fear. The Good News in this statement of faith is that there is nothing to fear from God because God is love. If we reserve our fear for God alone the good news is that we have nothing to fear. It is a reminder that God, the only one worthy of our fear, is not out to get us. We know this because throughout his life on earth Jesus told all people not to fear. Jesus is about setting us free from fear and calling us to a life of faithfulness.
Fear is something that most of us know a good deal about. There are the personal fears, the fears for self and family, fears about job security and health security and of even growing consumer debt. There are the more public fears, the fears of war, of terrorism and the list could go on. Fear permeates all aspects of our society. If you do not believe me take a quick inventor of the work of marketers and politicians. Many have, and continue to build entire careers by playing on our fears. Fear is a powerful motivator and is easily used as a tool manipulation.
At the empty tomb, God could have very easily used the fear of all the disciples to guarantee submission however, this is not the way God works. At the empty tomb, we hear the good news that God is at work and that God refuses to use fear as a tool. Even though God alone is worthy of fear, God is not about fear. God, in the witness of the cross and resurrection is love. Fear has nothing to do with God’s love. So whenever you hear people or institutions using fear as a tool beware. Because, anytime fear is used to motivate or manipulate it is a sure sign that the person, institution or idea is simply bankrupt.
This is a vital message which must be told over and over. It must be done because we can so easily fall prey to the power of fear. When we fear, we do irrational things. Whenever we fear something or someone, we can become immobilized and complacent. However, more likely, our fear leads to the stereotyping of what or who we fear. Because fear leads to scapegoating and demonizing it will always lead to oppression.
Standing at the empty tomb we are faced with both an invitation and questions. Will we succumb to the power of fear in our hearts and at the hands of the world’s powerbrokers? Or, will we choose love each day of our lives? Will we choose to follow the one who has taken an instrument of execution and turned it into a symbol of new life? So, if only God is truly worthy of fear then we have nothing fear at all. Each one of us is invited through the reality of an empty tomb to go and share with the world, which is enslaved by the power of fear, that love has overcome and the brokers of fear are bankrupt. This is good news worth sharing. This is the reality of Easter. Amen.
