Silent Fear

So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Mark 16:8 NRSV

Here is a bit of reverse psychology. The women are instructed by an angel to go and spread the Good News but they flee and say nothing to anyone. They are too afraid.

Fear seems to be a good way to keep silent.

My commentary from the new Interpreters Study Bible says that this was Mark's way to motivate the reader to spread the news themselves. To see the silence of the first witnesses would trigger an emotional response of telling everyone what had happened.

The real outcome has probably been more along the rationalized lines of: well, if they couldn't say anything after being instructed by God's angel, I don't think I should be expected to do any differently.

Fear seems to be a good way to keep silent.

But we are all told to not be afraid, to go and to speak. We would rather cringe in fear than do as we are told. Fear of rejection, fear of being ridiculed and fear of not doing it right has paralyzed more evangelistic moments.

We do fear. But we fear the wrong things. We do fear God but we don't love God. Instead, we run away in terror, and miss out on the good stuff God has for us.

God, help us not to flee and remove our fear. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims