Easter Sunday
April 12, 2020
Matthew 28:1-10
The two Mary’s, bearing myrrh and other spices went out to the tomb early that first Easter morning to do their part in preparing Jesus’ body for burial as an act of love and devotion.
They had no idea what life was going to be like now that Jesus was in the tomb, but they didn’t allow that uncertainty to paralyze them into inactivity. They knew what to do to honor their Lord, so they rose early and headed out.
But as they went out on that morning it was not at all as they had expected. An earthquake, an angel looking like lightening, wearing blindingly bright garments sitting atop the tombstone that was rolled away with an unthinkable message.
“Jesus who was crucified isn’t here, he is risen just as he said. Come see the place where he lay, then go tell his disciples he is risen from the dead and is going ahead of them to Galilee.”
The description of the Marys departure from the tomb to tell the disciples is one of the great lines of Holy Scripture, “with fear and great joy”.
With fear and great joy, sounds too ridiculous to be true, but it’s in the Bible so it must be. And besides I think we all know deep down it is because if we think about it, most if not all of us have caught a glimpse of this in our own lives—but it requires us to be present and paying attention.
Then Jesus suddenly meets them and they fall at his feet to worship and he says. “Don’t be afraid, go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, there they will meet me. ”
Did the myrrh bearing Marys fully understand what was going on? Did they completely comprehend what they were being told and the message they were given? Heavens no—but note neither the angel or Jesus asked them to explain it but to trust and proclaim it, knowing the Holy Spirit would enlighten them in the days ahead.
They felt the message first, and thought about it later. There was just too much going on as they were filled with fear and great joy, and so in a moment of gracious clueless abandon, to their Lord they took this amazing message to the disciples.
To be honest I feel something like those myrrh bearing women—full of fear and great joy. I’m supposed to preach the wonder and joy of Christ’s defeat of death and the promise it gives each one who is baptized into His death and resurrection and the invitation to salvation it presents to the whole world.
Yet doing it from my living room surrounded by my family, plus two cats and a dog, via some technological wizardry because a virus invisible to the naked eye has us shut up in our homes, living in ways we wouldn’t have imagined not very long ago—being bombarded by daily warnings of death, destruction and disruption that the virus has brought and could bring.
How will the Easter proclamation of Christ’s resurrection accomplish what it promises?
Specifically, I don’t know—it’s not my job to be able to describe and explain in minute detail. My task – with fear and great joy, is to tell you all via this less than ideal medium, in these bizarre circumstances that he is Risen, that I know he is risen, and that we don’t have to go to Galilee to meet him as he is with us now.
As a student of history, I’m reminded this isn’t the first Easter the services and ceremonies planned by the faithful have been upended by circumstances uncontrolled and unanticipated. But none of that did or does make Jesus’ promise and presence any less real to the heart and eyes of faith because it’s not dependent on the medium or the messenger but the power of the Holy Spirit.
And so by the grace of God we enter this Easter season with fear and great joy. But not a fear that paralyzes us with anxiety and uncertainty choking our hearts and minds with visions and speculations of worst case scenarios. Rather the fear of awestruck wonder at a message that seems too good to be true, but is true nonetheless. An overwhelming amazement that both fuels and is fed by the great joy which propels us to live our lives in this resurrection promise.
What greater witness to the power, presence and promise of Christ than to live with fear and great joy? In a time when the shadow of death and despair hangs over so many people, communities and countries—living with fear and great joy will shine the light of Christ in the midst of this darkness. You’ve likely seen glimpses of it via various “good news” stories that are sometimes highlighted on the news or over social media. We have been asked by Christ to share the true good news in this time. Not necessarily by preaching, but by sharing kindness in the face of anger, sharing peace amidst anxiousness, hope to those in despair, trusting our Lord will make his presence known as he wills in each instance.
So, in a day and time filled with uncertainty and anxiety, in the power, promise and presence of Christ, let us go forth with fear and great joy.