Reflections with Andy - Mark 16: 1-8 - Terror and Amazement

On this Monday after Easter, we begin living in the reality of the resurrection by reflecting on the Gospel of Mark 16:1–8, where the women are the first to discover the empty tomb and carry the good news of Jesus Christ’s resurrection—reminding us that God often uses unexpected people who are simply willing. Like them, we live in a world of both “terror and amazement,” where life can feel overwhelming and beautiful at the same time, and we may sometimes feel inadequate or tempted to write others off. But Easter teaches us not to do either, because the story isn’t over—life, not death, has the final word. Our calling is simple: be faithful and tell the story of what Jesus has done, trusting that God will use it in ways we may not even see.

Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he’ll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God’s Word.

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Well, good morning, and welcome to Rooted in Christ on this Monday after Easter. I really do hope you had a wonderful Easter—that it was life-giving for you, whether that was through worship, time with family, or just a moment to sit and reflect on the goodness and love of our Savior in this resurrection season. There’s just something special about Easter, and now we step into what it means to live on the other side of it—to live in a post-Easter world.

This week, we’re going to spend a little time each day looking at the daily readings from the Book of Common Prayer, just taking them as they come and offering a brief reflection. Today, we’re in Gospel of Mark 16:1–8, where the women come to the tomb and discover that it’s empty. And it’s always struck me—of all the people who followed Jesus Christ, it’s the women who were there at the cross, the women who came to the tomb, and the women who were the first to hear and carry the news of the resurrection. I’ve heard it said before that they were the “apostles to the apostles,” and there’s something really powerful about that. Jesus doesn’t choose the obvious people. He doesn’t go looking for the ones the world would expect. He chooses those who are willing.

And I think that matters for us, because if we’re honest, we don’t always feel like the ones who should be chosen. We don’t always feel equipped or worthy or ready. And yet, here we are—living in a post-Easter world, called to carry the same message they carried.

What’s interesting is how Gospel of Mark describes their response: “terror and amazement had seized them.” And that’s such an honest description of life, isn’t it? There are moments that feel overwhelming, even frightening—times when we look around and wonder, “What am I going to do?” And then there are moments of deep beauty and wonder—when we see something that just stops us in our tracks. A sunset, a conversation, a reminder that we are loved. Life is often both at the same time—terror and amazement, all wrapped together.

And in the middle of that, we’re called to be witnesses.

Sometimes we hesitate because we feel inadequate—like we don’t have much to offer. But the women didn’t have all the answers. They didn’t have a full theology worked out. They just had a story. They had experienced something, and they were called to share it.

And maybe that’s our calling too. Not to have it all figured out. Not to have all the right words. But simply to tell the story—what God has done, what God is doing, how Jesus has met us, changed us, carried us. That’s enough.

But there’s another side to this as well. Sometimes it’s not that we doubt ourselves—it’s that we doubt others. We’re quick to write people off. We think, “What do they have to teach me?” or “What could they possibly contribute?” And Easter pushes back on that. Because if God can use them—if God chose them—then maybe we need to pay attention.

Easter reminds us not to write anyone off. Not ourselves, and not others.

Because here’s the truth: it’s not over. Whatever feels final right now—it’s not final. Death doesn’t get the last word. Fear doesn’t get the last word. Life does.

So today, as you go about your day, maybe just sit with those two words—terror and amazement. Where do you feel overwhelmed? Where do you feel wonder? And right there in the middle of it, be faithful. Tell the story. Share the hope.

Because we are resurrection people now.

So go live with joy. Live with purpose. Live with grace and mercy. And just see what Jesus does with your story.

Thanks for being with me today. We’ll pick up again tomorrow.