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 So
this is it. The women have come to Jesus’ tomb, found it empty save
a strange character in a white robe, and ran away in a mix of terror
and amazement. Mark’s Gospel is not fancy but it makes the point,
this was an amazing moment and he simply lets the event itself
linger in the hearer’s minds. Easter Sunday is no ordinary day. It
is the day that reminds us who we are. It is the day that teaches us
about God’s love. It is the day that shows us we need not fear
death.
Yet this message had clearly not sunk in on the women on that day.
They had yet to learn these lessons and instead were mostly afraid.
They did not understand what was happening and so they fled, afraid
to even speak of it lest they be mocked and scorned. Today fear is
not our problem on Easter, it is apathy. It is not that we do not
understand what Jesus did, it is that it doesn’t mean that much to
us. Easter has become a day of bunnies, bonnets and baskets; a day
for a cured ham, family pictures and egg hunts. Lost in all this is
the Gospel message of love and hope, promise and grace. This week we
should be mindful of what we celebrate and we should give thanks for
this day which not only changed the course of the world but the very
nature of our lives. Jesus died and rose again, hear the good news! [to top of second column] |
Prayer: God, thank you for sending Jesus and giving us the gift
of Easter Sunday. Help us to remember its promises everyday and to
live as Easter people. We pray in his name. Amen.
[Text from file received from Phil Blackburn, First
Presbyterian Church of Lincoln]
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