The Intermediate Ending of Mark
[[And all that had been commanded them they told briefly to those around Peter. And afterward Jesus himself sent out through them, from east to west, the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation. Amen.]]]
The Long Ending of Mark
[[9 Now after he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. 10 She went out and told those who had been with him, while they were mourning and weeping. 11 But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. 12 After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. 13 And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them. 14 Later he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were sitting at the table, and he upbraided them for their lack of faith and stubbornness, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. 16 The one who believes and is baptized will be saved, but the one who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it.]]
Prayer Focus: Almost all scholars will agree that the Gospel of Mark originally ended with the women leaving the tomb in fear. But the early church, especially after other gospels had been written, decided it did not like that original ending to the Gospel of Mark. So the rest of verse 8 and the other verses we are reading today were added. Note the difference in voice, tone, and even how it refers to “the Lord Jesus.” It is pretty clear these verses are a late addition. But on this April 1st, April Fools Day, let us not be deceived. Christ is risen – not just on Easter, but every day. Add your voice to those who proclaim this good news! Give thanks for the opportunity to truly enter into God’s story through the Gospel of Mark this year.
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