Mark 16:7
7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’
To me, the post-resurrection interactions with Jesus are some of the most arresting parts of the Gospel narratives. For some reason, it seems like these parts are as much a story about the disciples as about the central character, Jesus. With that viewpoint, we may be struck by the mix of confusion, sadness, inspiration, joy, realisation and whatever other emotions Peter and the crew seem to be expressing! It is a personal and wild ride.
When reading this short passage, I imagine Peter and the others receiving the message and dealing with a jumble of thoughts and feelings. Presumably confusion, fear and disbelief are mixed with a hopeful curiosity that’s provoked by the reminder that this is “just as he told you”. I find myself looking ahead to the meeting that happens in Galilee and the joy that will flow from it.
We may also identify with the disciples as we live our daily lives in our current situations. Like them, we know the wonders that Jesus has done in the world, in his death and resurrection, and in our relationship with him. And yet he seems distant at times and we are confused. It’s good to reflect that Jesus has gone on ahead of us into our real hometown—not just the local hometown of Galilee for the disciples, or our home city, but the new heaven and earth. He has gone on ahead of us and there we will see him, just as he told us.
Geoff Pryde – Creek Road