Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday

Do you have a favorite thing about Easter? A favorite Easter memory? I used to love the Sunrise Services that we would attend. I love the rousing music of Easter. And it was the only time of the year that I got white chocolate. How much more special could it get?

During one of my tours in seminary, I was introduced to a British Theologian, Kirsopp Lake. I did a little more reading about him this morning ( I wanted to be sure I spelled his name right). I’m sure that Professor Lake had abundant research to support his theory, but I completely and totally disagreed with him. He said that the women didn’t find Jesus, because in their grief, they went to the wrong tomb. If that were the case it would negate my favorite part of the story.

The women, including Mary, went to the tomb where they laid him. Their hearts were broken. The other women went on home when they found the tomb empty. Mary stayed behind. She sees a man, and thinking he is the gardener, asks where they had taken Jesus’ body. He says her name. And she sees him. Sees Jesus. The Gaither song says, “I’ve just seen Jesus, and I’ll never be the same again.”

He is risen, just as he said. Our economy, our politicians, our employers, our lives are falling apart because we can’t believe what we’re told and we can hardly believe what we see. Who can we trust? We can trust God. Every word he’s spoken is true. And his promises are yes and amen. Banking on God was such a good idea that we put it on our coinage. Everything and everyone could fail you but he never will.

In 2002, Easter took on a very new and deep significance to me. I came to understand resurrection and freedom in a whole new way. Someday we’ll share that story, but for now, let me say it was a day when I came from a very dark place, and time, into newness of life. I felt Jesus’ presence and tenderness just like Mary did, and I’ll never be the same again.

Many times during Jesus’ earthly ministry we hear him telling people not to say anything about the miracles or teaching. It wasn’t time for that. Easter makes it time. Mary, go tell! Peter, go tell! Cleopas, go tell. It’s time to tell!

He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.
He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.

He is risen indeed!