Luke 24:1-12New Revised Standard
Version (NRSV)
The Resurrection of Jesus
But on the first day of the week, at
early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They
found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not
find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling
clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to
the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the
dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was
still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be
crucified, and on the third day rise again.” Then they remembered his words,
and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the
rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the
other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to
them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to
the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then
he went home, amazed at what had happened.
In
the Lenten season, we hid away the word “alleluia” from our worship. In Lent reflection
and quietness, some might say we buried this word and, in our church community,
exchanged it for other words to accompany our Lenten walk.
We
literally chose words to carry with us at the beginning of what we would not
know was to be such a unique Lent. We chose words like; Teamwork, hope,
peace, love and forgiveness – not knowing the effects of quarantine and
the fight against Covid 19. We
did not yet know what new world we would be living into, but these words – were
tucked into our hearts – as armor of sorts to strengthen us to live Lent in a-most-authentic
way.
We
had no idea how authentic our Lent would be. Letting go of the extras, became
more and changes and changes once again. But if there ever was a Lent, that I
remember being so focused on prayer – and our need for prayer. This one is it.
This Lent, Holy Week and Easter – due to the call to prayer – have helped be to
re-remember this promise of new life and resurrection in a totally new way.
In
the photo you see here – is my Easter circa 1981.
When
I try to re-remember the Easter’s of my childhood, I recall pastel dresses for
my sister, myself and our Mom. Suits for my brother and Dad. Easter baskets
filled with goodies hidden very well in the house (if there still was snow) and
outdoors in our yard (that was 95 acres
of woods).
There
always was Easter Sunday worship – the singing of joyful hymns – and some
Easter’s a trip to Pittsburgh to visit my Grandparents and extended family for church
and a big family dinner. There was also – the resurrection story of Jesus and
the promise of new life… even in the challenges and heartaches of life.
When
I re-remember childhood Easter – I notice some differences.
Instead of being
the on hearing the sermon – now I’m giving the sermon!
If
you were to take a moment to re-remember Easters of
years past… what would you re-remember?
This
Holy Week, Maundy Thursday and Good
Friday – may be different than ones we’ve experienced in the past – but if we
take a moment, I think we could re-remember the story and recognize that this
Easter is one where we’ve dig deeper. It has been my experience this year to
witness a desire of God’s presence in a more authentic way.
As
we waved palms in our homes and listened to the passion, Jesus last week of
life before and through his crucifixion and burial came alive to us in new
ways. Just as we carried our words of hope through Lent, Holy Week has given us
time and space to re-remember the life and death of Jesus – and our hope of
resurrection and new life.
Today’s
gospel tells us the amazing story of Jesus’s resurrection and the reason we say
“Alleluia’… this story helps us to re-remember, deep in our souls that
we all long for new life.
As
the stone is rolled away and the angels ask Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the
mother of James, and the other women …“Why
do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember
how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be
handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.”
Remember
how he told you, remember…
Could
it be, that what they had hoped for, this miracle of new life was not to be
forgotten. Could
Jesus have risen? Could
Jesus have broken the power of sin and death? How
could they re-remember what Jesus had told him?
In
Jesus crucifixion and death, the women stayed on, they carried on with the care
of his body… but as they had laid him in the tomb, wrapped in cloth and pungent
spices.
But
as they cared for the body of Jesus – were they able to remember what he
promised?
Or
were they afraid that death had won once and for all?
This is the fear we all carry…
But then – the angel appears – and as angels do, they chase away our deepest fears. They heard the angel – it was their reminder, even though things still seemed fuzzy.
What
was it that Jesus had said about his resurrection?
Could
they re-remember?
From
hopes dashed – to the words of the angel…the women at the tomb suddenly re-remembered the hope of Jesus
resurrection.
The
women, would tell the disciples about Jesus resurrection…
They
were filled with hope and joy; re-remembering that their experience with Jesus
was not over.
This
was just the beginning!
The
weight of their grief washed away.
The
angel’s words helped them to re- remember Jesus
–
and re-remember faith, hope and love.
All
that Jesus had taught and shown them was REAL!
Jesus
was no longer dead – but alive – alive and continuing to proclaim God’s message
of forgiveness and love!
The
women at the tomb, were messengers to the world…
“Jesus is risen! Jesus is risen indeed!”
The
words that we carried through Lent, the prayers we prayed with depth and
determination – help us to hold on to
hope in-the-midst of our grief and challenges. Our
words for Lent helped us to stay afloat
in the choppy waves of a time of hope differed.
These
Lenten words were like breadcrumbs, beacons of light, buoys to help us come
ashore safely… to make it to this Easter. As
we held fast to Hope, Love, Reconciliation, Unity, Peace…we re-remembered
Jesus.
We waited with
anticipation with, Hallelujah sticks in hand, to sing, say and shout; “Alleluia - Christ is risen- Christ is risen indeed!”
This
Easter is different than some Easter’s we’ve know; but in the way that
Easter has always proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus – this Easter faithfully
is ours.
Easter
morning has come. It is time for us, like the women at the tomb, to
re-remember, that Christ is no longer dead but alive.
Once,
not that long ago, I lived in a world that did not welcome or accept the voice,
presence or preaching of a woman. Today,
I am proof of the impossible but actual witness – like that of Mary Magdalene, of my calling to preach and the work of the
Holy Spirit. Today, I am a preacher and proclaim the Jesus good news and
invitation to ALL people into the kin-dom of God.
So,
I ask you, what voice is Jesus giving to you this Easter? Like Mary, like Peter;
will you also join me in proclaiming the good news that… “Christ is risen,
Christ is risen indeed!”
I
am not the only preacher today – you also are called to be preach the good and
glorious good news. The hope of new life is no longer deferred. Hope is here!
We are the women at the tomb, blinking in wonder, perhaps fearful of what
happens next; until we remember that the empty tomb means that death is
defeated – that... “Jesus
Christ is risen, Alleluia, Christ is risen indeed.”
God,
help us re-remember, your blessing is greater than any curse.
God help us re-remember - love is stronger than hate!
God help us re-remember, Jesus is… risen, living, working, and redeeming our lives.
God help us re-remember, Jesus is risen … so that ALL people
may know about the all-encompassing, never-ending, death-can’t-stop it – power
of love!”
God help us re-remember and proclaim – that this Easter of all Easters, our
hope is fulfilled and “Alleluia, Jesus
Christ is risen; Christ is risen indeed.
AMEN
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