Before we become too sympathetic with the three women, we should realize that throughout Mark’s Gospel, fear has primarily been portrayed as a negative response to Jesus. Whenever people have seen his miracles and they begin to appreciate who he is, often their response has been fear (e.g., Mark 4:35 – 5:20). Jesus is powerful. Jesus is not someone we can control. Jesus makes demands on our lives. In response, people do something to try and make Jesus go away or something to stop him (Mark 3:6; Mark 14:1). Fear in Mark’s Gospel is not the beginning of wisdom, but something that causes people to stay away from Jesus.
Instead of fear, Jesus and Mark have been encouraging people to trust in Jesus, to have faith in him. Do you remember what Jesus said to the disciples on the boat, after he calmed the raging storm with word? He exclaimed, Why are you so afraid? Where is your faith?
Faith instead of fear is what Jesus wants from his disciples and all those who follow him. Jesus is the Christ who came to give his life as a ransom for sinners. we must trust him with our lives rather than fearing for our future (Mark 8:31–38). He is the good shepherd who cares for God’s people. He is the righteous King who rules in a way that is just. He is the Chief Prophet who has come to make God known to us. He is the High Priest who has atoned for our sins.
Jesus the Christ is risen from the dead. He certainly is all powerful. He certainly is not someone we can control. But he is gracious and he calls us to trust him with our lives.
40 There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.