Short description
... for they were afraid was composed in December 2025 and is dedicated to Pastor John F. MacArthur of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California.
The text was chosen in celebration of the 15th anniversary of the completion of MacArthur's 40-year sermon series, preaching through the New Testament verse-by-verse. The final text he preached on in this series was the concluding chapter of the Gospel according to Mark. This account concerning the resurrection of Christ ends abruptly and climactically at verse 8, emphasizing themes of shock, amazement, and fear. I wanted to communicate these theological points in the music; the result is something like a miniature biblical scena that remains subdued and objective while dramatizing the text.
Completion Year
2025
Dedication
in memory of pastor John MacArthur
Scored for
mixed choir (SATB) a cappella
Duration
ca. 7'
Language
English
Vocal Text
Mark 16, 1-8
And when the Sabbath passed, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him.
And very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.
And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?”
And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was very large.
And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed.
And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, the place where they laid Him.
But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’”
And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment were gripping them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.