The Easter Difference Matthew 28:1-10 Rev. Michael A. Trask Their hopes were dashed. The outlook was dim. The teacher they had followed and loved and worshipped was now dead. Two women named Mary headed out for the tomb early on Sunday Morning. They went to finish the grim but loving task they had begun. You see, they had been rushed in preparing him for his burial. So early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they set out for the tomb to do this one last thing for Jesus. You know how they felt, I’m sure. You know the kind of dull ache in the heart that one experiences while grieving the loss of someone you love. In this broken world death inevitably makes it’s foray into each of our lives. Death: it is so very permanent and irreversible! Or so it would seem. Let’s leave the two Marys for a second and fly to the heights of heaven. See the angels looking down, watching the seal of the Roman Empire being placed on the tomb; watching the soldiers standing at their post. Soon, one of them, gets the call to go down; he roles the stone; he makes an earthquake; he frightens the guards! There they stand, shaking, ashen, as if they themselves were dead. The angel greets the women. “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he is risen, just as he said.” How do you suppose that went over with these women? Probably didn’t know how to process it at first. For what he said, by any measure, was preposterous. Death is an irreversible condition isn’t it? While they were trying to wrap there brains around what he had just said, the angel thought that perhaps a visual aid would help. He took them into the tomb saying, “Come and see the place where he lay”. And of course he wasn’t there! “Go quickly” he says “tell the disciples” As they hurried away from the tomb, They were “afraid yet filled with Joy.” This is good! This tells us they believed the angel! Formerly they were grieving, but now they are joyful though fearful for having seen an angel. But then all of a sudden, they meet up with Jesus! They fall to the ground, grab hold of his feet and worship him. Talk about great reversals! They came to the tomb grieving, sobbing, crying. They left thrilled and overjoyed to the very core of their beings! “We have seen the Lord!” “We have seen the Lord!” They would later say when they saw the disciples. What a difference! What a change! This is what you might call, “The Easter Difference”. You could see the affects of it in these very first people to meet the risen Jesus. You could see it in his disciples when they finally met up with him too! And you can see it in life of any one who hears the Easter message and believes it. There is a very distinct Easter Difference in the lives of Christ’s followers. The First part of this Easter difference is the way that we regard death. Yeah, death is still the enemy but it’s been defanged and declawed by the power of Jesus’ resurrection. Death is not permanent or irreversible for us anymore. Jesus, the first to rise from the dead is the firstfruits of many who will also rise. The end of the Gospel of John puts it this way: “These things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31). So how does that happen? How does believing on him give life? How does believing on Jesus reverse death? Simple: Death is a result of human sin. The Bible says, he who sins will die. Jesus came into the world to be held accountable for our sins and the sins of all people..that’s what happened to him on the cross. He died for our sins. Now, here’s my point: the fact that he rose again, meant that he was successful...successful in bearing away our sins. If he hadn’t been successful, his body would have stayed in the ground and his soul would be suffering in hell to this day. But Jesus made full and successful atonement for our sins....the resurrection assures us of that. As Paul said “the sting of death is sin” . But the sin has been paid for for, so the sting is gone. Another way to say it is that Death is now a toothless wonder. Like the Abominable snow man in that tired old Claymation Christmas special about rudolph after it’s teeth were pulled. Yeah, it still growls, it snaps and blusters it’s foul breath in our ears...but it can’t really harm us in the end. It’s effects are completely reversible and will be reversed when Jesus returns. As you might have suspected, Jesus resurrection not only changes our future, but it also changes us in the here and now! I’ll put it this way: it gets rid of all those ominous feelings that can sometimes creep in to your life and take it over. What do I mean by ominous feelings? Surely you must know what I’m talking about: always living in the worst case scenario rather than living your life as it actually is? Fear of financial ruin, fear of being exposed, fear of failure! You know what I mean when I speak of ominous feelings. I’m talking fear! But let me say to you what the angel said to the women, albeit with a different emphasis: “Do not be afraid, you are looking for Jesus.” “Do not be afraid, you are looking for Jesus.” He is the one who can replace our greatest fears with the most profound hope. He’s the one who said “Do not worry...about what you eat about what you where?” But why shouldn’t I worry? Because your heavenly father will take care of you?
But how can I be sure that he will take care of me? “ Because he has nothing but love and good intentions towards you?”
But how can that be? Because no matter what you have done, no matter what you have been guilty of in the past is forgiven completely!
And How do we know this? We know this Because Jesus Rose from the grave showing that he was indeed successful in his mission to redeem your soul.
You see. It’s all connected! Jesus resurrection shows us how it is indeed possible for God to love us and care for us and cause all things to work together for our good. The Marys came to tomb with broken hearts, saw Jesus and went out with overwhelming Joy. I can’t pretend to know what state of mind and heart you had when you came here this morning, But I would hope that you met up with Jesus too, and will leave with joy, for in him it is truly possible. AMEN
|
||
 |
|
|