And afterward Jesus himself sent out through them, from east to west, the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation. Mark 16:8

Wolfhart Pannenberg was raised an atheist. When he went to the university, however, he chose to study Christian Theology – which in Germany can be offered as a degree in much the same manner as any philosophy degree: no belief is required. The problem was that Pannenberg’s study was not safe. He began to read and ponder the Gospels. As he pondered the Gospels a particular mystery took hold of his head… and eventually, his heart. The mystery: What could possibly transform frightened cowardly men and women into people who would not only risk their lives for the improbable message of Christ’s Resurrection – but, in many cases, willingly give it?
Pannenberg knew that something incredible had to happen. And, that’s when it happened to him. The only reasonable explanation was that they saw what they said they had seen! The witness of the Resurrection boiled down, not to an unreasoning leap of faith, but the only rational conclusion. Pannenberg became a Christian – not just a student of Christianity, but a disciple of Jesus.
The short ending of Mark’s Gospel testifies to what Pannenberg discovered. The power of God went into the world through human beings that had been inspired by sacred mystery – that they had seen and experienced! Two words leap out at you when you read this short ending for Mark’s Gospel: sacred and imperishable. The message was sacred because it came from our Holy God – not from people who were somehow more perfect than we are able to be. The witness was imperishable because it promised what only our Holy God can give – eternal life.
Lately I have been struck by the number of new worshipers we have. What strikes me is not their age – though many appear young, we have a large number of “older folks” as well. What strikes me is not their dress or seeming economic status – even “middle agers” are now coming to church in business casual dress or less. What strikes me is the hunger and anticipation I see in their eyes. They come to worship in the hope of meeting God among God’s people.
This shouldn’t surprise us. Since Christ’s ascension that is how it has been. My heart-felt prayer is that we will be those through whom Jesus himself sent out… with the message of the Resurrection. Then our work will be sacred and imperishable too! Amen