Sermon - 2020 - 04-12 - Easter Sermon

Matthew 28:1-10 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Has Risen

28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Today is the greatest day in our Christian calendar.  A day in which we celebrate the risen Lord among us. When we go to the tomb, expecting to mourn the loss of a loved one and we find the tomb empty.  Wondering where Jesus is and then coming face to face with him with new life.  However, when we celebrate this day, we may be thinking of the event that happened 2000 years ago.  A day that seems so distant from where we are and it can seem like the effects have weakened over time. 

Yet it is this reason that we celebrate to know and hear that we are not living just in hope but in a promise of God living and dwelling among us, knowing our pain and suffering.  While bestowing upon each and every one of us the gift of salvation and eternal life with God.  Yes, while the world can only speak and give death, God comes and delivers life among us. 

This is what we are celebrating, this is the promise that we hear over and over again.  Now we are living it out.  We are in the midst of the struggle of wondering why isn’t the world a better place?   Why are we not in paradise?  When will the promise that Jesus delivers to us be fulfilled?  Now, what am I supposed to do?  

We find ourselves with more questions.  Yes in the midst of Easter, we have the beauty, joy, hope, and promise of God among us but we also still have the darkness of this world.  We find ourselves with the calling of being a Disciple of Jesus Christ, knowing the promise of Easter and now entering into our calling to go into the darkness of this world to share that promise with others.  We find ourselves in the reality of this world.  We go to the poor, the sick, the rejected, and all people to remind them that God has created us all.  We go to all people to share with them the good news, that Jesus Christ, is Savior and Lord giving them the hope and promise that Jesus has now given to us this Easter.  

Now when people hear this promise, they are thinking that this is going to be a good life, free from struggle, fear, or doubt.  Instead, they find themselves coming to the foot of the cross and realizing in the death of Christ, we receive this promise.  We bear witness to this promise of being set free from the power of sin, death, and the power of the devil into the new life that Christ is calling us to live out.  Now, this can seem foolish or absurd that the place where we experience death, is where God brings life.  However, over and over again, we are reminded that life, grace, and mercy all come from God.  The world struggles with this very idea but God continues to pour it out among us.  

In the midst of our life, we continue to bear witness to the new creation and new life that God pours out.  In the spring with growth and flowers, and even now with the birth of new children among us.  God continues to bring hope and life around us.  

Today may you bear witness to the cross and the empty tomb.  That you may know the promise of Jesus Christ. For Christ is Risen.  He is risen indeed, Alleluia.