No matter how we present it, the message of Easter is incredible. Jesus, our Lord and Savior, is risen from the dead! This event cannot be denied. If historians were to rank the significant events of all time, I believe many would place the resurrection of Jesus at the top of their list. Probably no singular or more incredible event has had a greater impact than what happened on the third day following Jesus’ death on the cross. All the gospels tell us that on that day an empty tomb was discovered. So what was the impact?
What literally happened cannot be explained. Some say the event was a hoax, that Jesus wasn’t really dead when he was taken down from the cross, but that he was drugged when they placed him in the tomb. Ponder the passion and you have to wonder how Jesus could even walk three days later after enduring what he did. The story of Easter has stood the test of time. Yes, the Lord Jesus has been raised.
If you ask me, what makes the notion of a hoax so unlikely is that those who saw the risen Christ never altered their testimony even when faced with persecution and death. Study the gospel stories about the resurrection, and you will notice they are not primarily about what happened to Jesus, but what happened to his followers. The resurrection impacted them, changing their lives forever.
Had he not risen from the dead, the good news of Jesus Christ would have faded from memory long ago. At best we would remember him as a great ancient teacher like Plato or Aristotle. But he did rise from the dead and within a century this amazing historical truth spread like wildfire throughout the Roman Empire. This event touched the lives of many people who dared to believe at the risk of being martyred then and it still does today. That is why we gathered here this morning. The resurrection of Jesus impacts us too.
His resurrection, a mystery that cannot be explained, speaks to us of hope, reassuring us that there is new life beyond death’s door. More than that, the resurrection explains how Jesus, no longer bound by earthly restraints, can be very present to us in this time and place in the Eucharist.
We celebrate more than just the resurrection of Jesus on that first Easter morning so long ago. We also celebrate the experience of Christ’s death and life that goes on in each of us. Life for us can be rejuvenated, however broken we may be. Like Jesus we can emerge from “tombs” that we have made from our grief, addictions, despair, sorrow, and sin. We can leave behind the desert experience of Lent to taste here and now the joy and freedom of new life…to experience our own resurrection when we trust that he is there to help us cope with our hurt, losses, and brokenness.
“Alleluia!”— that sound of joy we associate with Easter has no translation in our language yet we recognize its message. It expresses the hope for all Christians that no matter what, we shall not die, but we shall live forever. Admittedly, we are daring to believe the unbelievable but then that is what separates us from others who have highly respected Jesus only as a great teacher, but not as the Son of God who rose from the dead. For without the resurrection, there would have been no Christianity. The risen still living Christ is what keeps our faith in him alive.
Having witnessed the resurrection, the disciples went forth to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. Nothing could keep them entombed for they had seen firsthand that Jesus had triumphed over sin and evil and they were moved to share that good news with others at any cost.
They passed on the good news that we could experience new life in Christ, not only in this Easter gathering but also in every celebration of the Eucharist. They passed on the good news that nothing can defeat us any more, not pain, not sorrow, not rejection, not even death.
Easter means much to many people because it is about the kind of hope we dare not hope for, the kind that is beyond ordinary experience. It is about the transformation of tragedy. It is about finding light in the darkest moments of our lives. It is believing we are connected to a powerful God who does wonders even if our faith is tepid and can dissolve the selfishness that at times leaves us feeling so alone.
Easter is where dead ends become continuing avenues. Where the grave, naturally a sad place, becomes a place of consolation. By conquering death and leaving behind an empty tomb, Jesus provides us with hope that death isn’t the end of our existence; it’s a transition from a journey marked by time to one that is timeless.
If you believe that Christ truly rose from the dead, then allow the risen Lord to be your guiding light in this lifetime! Each weekend celebrate anew the joy of Easter, allowing your psyche to be uplifted! Live your faith not just today but daily, making time to reflect on God’s presence in your life through prayer and scripture. Easter is more than a day; Easter is a way of life for those who believe.
This is a day that draws more people than usual to prayer. Today, the world needs prayer more than ever. A century after the war to end all wars began, the threat of another war is unnerving. May the news of the risen Christ impact you so that you whatever happens, your life is filled with his peace and joy.