Observation: The oldest copies of Mark's Gospel do not include this final story, of Jesus' appearing and preaching to his disciples, then ascending into heaven and sitting at God's right hand. This part was probably written a few centuries later, to more closely match the end of Luke's gospel. Yet for many centuries of Christian history, this "longer ending of Mark" was part of the story for many believers. In fact, it forms the basis for some parts of the Lutheran Confessions.
Application: We have a natural tendency to try to make sense of things that confuse us. Mark's Gospel (the original version) ends with an angel announcing Jesus' resurrection, and the women running out, terrified, and telling no one what they saw. I mean...what??? Like, Jesus is on the loose somewhere, but nobody knows where he is or what he's doing? This ending reminds me of how Disney might resolve a chaotic story like that.
I don't think it's wrong to try and make sense of a life that often seems crazy and disordered. As I've heard said before, the key to a happy ending is knowing when to stop telling the story.
Common sense dictates that the disciples did eventually encounter Jesus, and that the women at the tomb did eventually tell their story. Other witnesses say he did indeed ascend. But was it necessary to make Mark's Gospel "fall in line"?
Sometimes we do need to sit with what feels like an incomplete story. Our lives, our world, our history, still feel very unresolved, much like Mark's original story, and it's very tempting to go for an "easy ending." But rest assured, the story is still in God's hands, still being told, and the ending was already decided in the life, death and Resurrection of Christ.
Prayer: Jesus, help us to accept that which feels too open-ended, and give it to you to finish. Amen.
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