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“Now after the sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the sepulcher. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.” Matthew 28: 1-7
Easter has come to our world again this spring, with news of the Risen Savior, Jesus Christ, proclaimed by the Christian Church throughout the world. As we celebrate the empty tomb of Jesus, we recall the stories from scripture of those days immediately after Jesus rose from the dead. This one in particular has always been a favorite of mine for many reasons.
It starts out as a rather humorous story, not exactly what you would expect from a story of two women visiting the fresh grave of someone they loved.
When they arrive, there is an earthquake, and an angel from heaven rolling the stone away from the tomb of Jesus, then the angel ‘sits’ on the gravestone! It’s almost as if the angel is mocking the sealed tomb, the ‘permanence’ of death.
The guards faint with fear, and I’m sure the women were a bit frightened too, to say the least. But the angel quickly speaks to them, words of comfort, amidst their fears. “Do not be afraid.” Messengers from God often speak these words to their frightened listeners in the scripture stories.
Many things in life tend to frighten us, sometimes to the very core of our being. Life is full of uncertainties. We know not what tomorrow brings. But into this world, into our fears, comes the message of Easter. “Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen, as he said.”
A tomb could not hold him. Death could not keep him from us. “He has risen!”
We are an Easter people my friends. As surely as Jesus died for us, Jesus has come to bring us life! In our world filled with fears and sorrows, Jesus has conquered the grave, not just for himself, bur for us all! “Go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead!” “Go quickly, people of God, and tell the ‘world’ that he has risen from the dead!” Celebrate the joy of God’s eternal love! An empty tomb. A risen Savior. Hope for you, and for me, and for all of God’s creation! Thanks be to God!
Happy Easter! Pr. Tim
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