Peter begins our readings on the note, “You know what happened.” But do we? What is this Easter mystery that draws us here this morning?
This is the Sunday of all Sundays! Today we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Along with Mary Magdalene, we grasp the reality that the tomb is empty, that Jesus is not only human, he is divine.
What literally happened cannot be humanly explained as there were no witnesses to the event. Those who cannot believe what happened come up with any number of explanations: the body was stolen, or he really wasn’t dead when they took him down from the cross. Instead he was drugged when they placed him in the tomb. But the story Mary Magdalene tells us has stood the test of time. The Lord has been raised! Those who saw the risen Christ never altered their testimony even when threatened with death.
Why does this event even matter to us? The resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth gives us reason to believe that our lives is more than a span of time from the womb to the tomb. Until Jesus came on the scene, the Jews thought the Messiah would liberate them from the oppression of the Romans, but Jesus kept telling them his kingdom was not of this world.
Jeus left evidence that our time here would be a stepping stone to a new life beyond the threshold of death. What he said in those few years while roaming the shores of Galilee and the hills of Judea were not empty promises or false hopes. He indeed came to free us from the oppression of sin and suffering. His resurrection validates his claim.
What Mark tells us in his gospel is more than just the punch line to a dramatic tale. The empty tomb and the resurrection are the heart of of our Christian faith. Unable to explain how this happened, all he can do is tell us the reaction of those who saw the empty tomb and the promise that they would see the risen Lord.
Picture the women on their way to the tomb, grieving and apprehensive. “Who will roll back the stone for us?” they asked themselves. That seemed like an impossible task.
How many unmovable stones do we have in our lives? What wrongs, doubts, and fears have troubled you during this long pandemic? Perhaps you are coping with being unemployed or underemployed or dealing with a broken relationship. You have pushed and pushed against the stones in your life and nothing seems to budge.
Or you are doubting that God loves you because of what you have done or failed to do or the mistakes you have made. Years ago your baby was aborted or given up for adoption. Recently you exchanged hurt words with a spouse, a child, a neighbor. Deeds or words you now regret and wish you could take back, but pushing the stone of forgiveness seems to be so futile.
The one who emerged from the tomb on that first Easter morning died, bears our sins and trials. He emerged fully understanding our worries and fears, not just those of Mary Magdalene, her companions and Peter, but also yours and mine 2000 years later.
Jesus is no stranger to our fears, doubts and worries. Recall that shortly before his arrest in the Garden of Olives, he agonized at length in prayer. Could he do what was in store for him? Despite his many fears, he also said to his Father, “Not what I will but what you will.” When the time came for his arrest, Jesus surrendered instead of fleeing. He knew that in the care of his Father, he need not worry.
While we are very much alive, some of us may feel entombed emotionally or spiritually. Faith in the risen Christ enables us to emerge from our tombs of worry, doubt, and fear. The hope of Easter is no matter where we are or what our fears may be, we are not alone. God cares for us too.
Yes, something extraordinary happened that morning in Jerusalem long ago. Jesus escaped the grip of death, leaving behind an empty tomb to be present with us, even those of us still filled with doubt, fear or skepticism.
In my quiet time after communion, I often recall the prayer of Zechariah. Its closing line sums up for me the promise of Easter. “In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us…to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
My friends, a blessed Easter to you! Not just today but for throughout this season as well, may you always be filled with the peace of the risen Lord.