Be Astonished!...Be Very Astonished!

After being told by an angel that Lord Christ has risen from the dead Mark records this of the women:

" And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid."

This is where the earliest manuscripts of the Gospel end (interesting place for Mark to end, don't you think?)

Here are a few observations about these women; They were probably the most faithful followers of Christ at that time, they were filled with tremendous love for their teacher/savior and they were very courageous women (at least compared to the disciples who at this time had fled in fear.)

These faithful followers of Christ were stricken with awe, astonishment and fear at the historical event of the resurrection.

How does this event effect today's church? How does effect me? How does it effect you? Have we become too "familiar" with this event?
Much of today's church simply "emerge". What I mean is they put their feet up (shod with flip flops), sip on their starbucks, take a bite of their scone, and at the same time offer their praise to the Lord for the resurrection.

Perhaps some of us would do well to stand in bewildered awe at the resurrected savior....to stand in fear of God and think biblically about what happened at the cross. Let the awesomeness and amazement of this event astonish us.

(I am not saying we should not rejoice and be filled with unspeakable joy) Thoughts inspired by a sermon I heard from Covenant Presbyterian Church in St Louis.