Easter Vigil B 2024

In the last few days, we have followed our Lord’s journey to the cross, beginning with his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, coming into the city in the fashion of a King of the Jews: riding on a donkey, with the people throwing palm branches at his feet, shouting “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” (John 12:13) Mere days later, the people turned on him. He was arrested, flogged, questioned, and crucified - a demonstration of his complete obedience to the Father, and also of his immense love for all of us. On that day we call “Good Friday,” from the sixth hour to the ninth hour (noon to 3 pm), as he hung on the cross, all the world went dark, and he gave up his spirit. Matthew tells us that at that moment, “...the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.” (Matthew 27:51)

It was dark both figuratively and literally. Jesus Christ, the light of the world, was no longer in the world. The light had been removed. Many of his disciples and followers believed it was over. That he was not who he claimed to be, and that he had failed. They did not see that what had happened was exactly as he had told them, and it was exactly as the prophets had said it would happen. It was exactly what needed to happen.

Tonight we have read seven passages that tells us the story of God’s redemption plan. We began with the story of God creating the heavens and the earth and everything in it, including us. We read of the Spirit of God moving over the waters bringing order from chaos, and creation began with the coming of light into darkness. In the cross and resurrection of Christ the new creation begins, and it is continued in each Baptism.

In the second lesson, Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac, we hear of a father’s willingness to sacrifice his only son, trusting in God’s mercy. This clearly foreshadows the sacrifice of the Son of God and points to His death, which we are connected to in Baptism.

The third lesson is the story of Israel’s deliverance at the Red Sea, a foreshadowing of deliverance through the waters of Baptism. Our entrance in darkness tonight is a reminder that just as the children of Israel were led by a pillar of fire from slavery to freedom in the promised land, so the church is led from the slavery of sin to the glorious liberty of the children of God in the heavenly land of promise. Again, a pillar of fire, the candle, leads the way. This lesson tells of the destruction of Israel’s enemies, just as Christ has triumphed over evil and now enables us to share his victory and to once more follow his light out of the darkness.

The fourth lesson from Ezekiel tells of the valley of dry bones. God is able to restore even dry, lifeless bones to life. This foreshadows the resurrection of the dead on the Day of the Lord, the day in which we place our hope.

The fifth lesson from Isaiah tells of God’s presence in a renewed Israel, washing his people with cleansing water. In the church Christ's presence is known by his baptized people.

The sixth lesson from Jonah tells of the instantaneous and complete conversion of Nineveh after the preaching of Jonah. This lesson summarizes the whole Jonah story and points to baptismal repentance for all people.

The seventh and final lesson for tonight comes from Daniel, and tells the story of three young men who were thrown into the blazing furnace and whose survival also foreshadows the resurrection. Shortly, we will hear the song the three young men sang while standing in the blazing furnace. Please listen closely to the words as the cantor sings them.

In this service, we have moved from darkness to light, from black to white, from mourning to celebration. Although we use the cross as the symbol of all that Christ has done for us, his story does not end on that cross. His death was not the end. It was not a failure, as his followers thought. His victory was final when he came out of the tomb, as we will celebrate in a few short hours.

Brothers and sisters, the lessons we read tonight are a reminder that God has loved us from the beginning, and His Divine Work, His Plan, and His Will has always been for our redemption and our salvation. Our failures did not stop Him. Our disobedience did not stop Him. Our doubts and questions did not drive Him away. He has ALWAYS been working to save us, and His work is completed in the dawn of tomorrow morning, when we see the tomb is empty. God has been at work since the beginning to ensure that we would always be with Him, and in the death and resurrection of His Son, it has been accomplished. Let us all take comfort in that, and rejoice in that. Please reflect on this as we renew our Baptismal promises.