When Jesus told his disciples about his pending resurrection from the dead, they did not know what he was talking about. But then, how could they? Something like that had never happened before. So naturally that was the last thing on their minds as Mary Magdalene and her companions made their way to the tomb early on Easter morning.
On Friday, they watched from a distance as Jesus took his last breath and was then lowered from the cross, having sustained a cruel and painful death. At sunrise once the Sabbath was over, they came to the tomb to finish the burial rites, wondering “Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” Little did they know what was in store for them and for us.
Not only did they find the stone rolled away but a young man, clothed in white, greeted them giving them the shock of their lives. “Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised, he is not here.”
There is one more verse to Mark’s story of Jesus’ resurrection that we did not hear. “And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” Scripture scholars tell us, that based on the writing style and themes of the verses that follow, Mark ended his account abruptly with the words, “they were afraid.” Understandably so, for finding an empty tomb was something they never expected.
The young man whom they had encountered, sitting where the body of Jesus once was, assured the women, “Do not be amazed!” How could Mary Magdalene and her companions not be amazed? To say, “Do not be amazed,” seems, pardon my pun, completely off the mark.
Astonishment and amazement should be our response to all the mighty acts of God including the resurrection story. Throughout scripture, especially those passages that tell our salvation history, we can recount the biblical history of God at work in the world and in our lives. God speaks before all creation; sun, moon, stars, dry land and waters, wildlife and all humanity are born out of nothing. That is amazing. Throughout the scriptures, God provides a way when there is no way, rescuing his people from slavery, defeat and exile. For example, God rescued the Israelites from bondage in Egypt, giving them freedom and life when slavery and death look like their only possible future. That is astonishing. Who would not be amazed when God is at work in the world?
Biblically speaking, there is more to amazement than awe, delight and astonishment. Behind the biblical word that is translated as “amazed,” there is also the sense of being terrified or afraid. That may seem strange that wonder and fear are two emotions that should be linked, but think of the much beloved hymn, Amazing Grace. In that hymn, the grace described as amazing rescues us from sin. Yet this same grace “taught my heart to fear.” This is the biblical sense of being amazed: standing in the presence of a God who will not let anything defeat his life-giving desires, one finds a combination of both fear and wonder.
“Do not be amazed!” The young man said to the women in order to calm their fears. This message is the heart of the Easter story. We need not be afraid. God has raised Jesus to new and resurrected life. This isn’t a case of a dead person being revived like Lazarus was. Not even death can stop God’s life giving desires for us. The resurrection is God’s gift to us, the divine assurance that the fullness of life awaits us when we take our last breath.
God’s life-giving desire is at work even now to overcome those fears that hold us captive and keep us from the fully human life God intends for us to live.
The God who brought life out of nothingness before creation, the God whose mighty acts once rescued people from slavery, defeat and exile, is the God who raises Jesus from the dead and gives new life to us. Like the women in today’s gospel, in the risen Christ, we too can live without fear.
Fortunately for us, the women were not afraid for long. Once they encountered the risen Lord, they could no longer keep the news of his resurrection a secret. They and the disciples lived without fear, sharing the good news that Jesus isn’t a memory, but a presence. Our dearest memory fades in due time, but the presence of the risen Lord remains ever more vivid and real for us as it has for past generations.
Despite what that young man said, the gift of our new life in Jesus’ death and resurrection leaves us all amazed. What God promised, God has delivered; so what he said would happen is true. Jesus is risen from the dead. As St. Paul once said, “If Christ is not raised from the dead, then our faith is in vain.” If he had not been raised from the dead, Jesus of Nazareth would have become a footnote in history.
Instead, the risen Christ has sustained a mission that has been ongoing for two thousand years. His message of change, love and hope is still being fulfilled. In the risen Lord we find our life in God, our hope beyond fear. We rejoice, knowing that God raises us to newness of life. So, do not be amazed for God has called us to live as people of courage, peace and hope in our day. That is the Easter faith we need to take out there when we leave here today. Yes, do not be amazed! Jesus Christ is risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!