Resurrection of Our Lord – A
April 12, 2020
Grace, Waseca, MN
Matthew 28.1-10
From the angel at the tomb:
He’s not here. I’m telling you the same thing I told those two women just a few minutes ago: He’s not here. He’s not here, just as Jesus said to his closest friends and followers, he has been raised from the dead. As an angel, one whose job is to bring a message from God to God’s people, I’m telling you, too: He’s not here. God is on the move and nobody can prevent that, certainly not these soldiers who lie here as if they were dead. Indeed, though it often seems otherwise, the powers of this world cannot prevail against God’s love.
I think the two women, the two Marys, knew this and clung to this during these last three, horrific days. Yet, they were the ones who stayed with Jesus the whole time while his closest friends abandoned him. Right now, the women are on their way to those same disciples who are behind locked doors in fear. The women, too, were afraid and still are, but they are also filled with great joy at the news of the empty tomb. Now they are the first apostles, the ones sent by God, to tell their brothers that Jesus has been raised from the dead.
So, why are you here? I suppose it’s natural for you to come and see for yourself what has happened. After all, you are used to gathering together and being with Jesus on days like this and being with him. And it is part of being human to want to check things out for ourselves, to see what others see. But today, he’s not here and though that might be upsetting to you, maybe it’s a good thing. It’s a reminder that just as no tomb can hold Jesus, our expectations can’t hold him either.
Having observed humanity for thousands of years, I think I can understand your difficulty today. You are still stuck with Jesus on Calvary, feeling the effects of sin, brokenness and death. The news of the empty tomb, that Jesus is not here, is difficult to take in, let alone seem real. I wish I could tell you that there will be no more Calvarys, that pain and heartbreak are gone for good and that all will be well from here on in. Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen for a while, when God deems it to be the right time to bring all things to completion.
But for today, do not be afraid, do not continue in fear. I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified; he is not here. For he has been raised, just as he said. No, it’s not too good to be true, it’s too good not to be true. The good news is that you are now an empty-tomb people in a Calvary world and that just as Jesus has gone ahead to meet his followers in Galilee he will meet you wherever you are, wherever you need him. So, today, which hardly seems joyful, go with awe and joy holding on to Jesus where you meet him. For Christ is risen, he is risen indeed, alleluia!
To view the service with the sermon click here.
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