Jesus Christ, Our Risen Lord

Jesus died on the cross and was buried the evening before the Sabbath.

Some of his disciples and Joseph of Arimathea took him down, prepared his body quickly, and buried him in the Arimathean family tomb.

Only after the Sabbath, 36 hours later, did the women disciples go to see what they could do for him.

But, once they got to the tomb, what little they could see in the early dawn light was something that terrified them.

The stone used to seal the tomb was rolled away.

They could not have expected a large stone (more like a boulder) moved for them; more than just two women and a gardener were needed.

The women found a strange person in a white robe, telling them “he is risen."

What was that supposed to mean? Where was the body of the One they loved?

All they wanted to do was make sure that Jesus' body was taken care of, and maybe to cry over him as their grief welled up, becoming a reality, knowing that he is gone.

But the angel told them his body was gone too.

Grief upon Grief, a Grief of the unknown.

How could they have expected something like this? And Why?

But the angel wasn't finished.

The angel said Jesus had gone to Galilee, that they would see him, and to tell his disciples, including Peter.

But they didn't do what the angel instructed them to do.

The men could not follow Jesus to the cross.

Now, the women could not follow him beyond the tomb.

Maybe it was the shock of the moment because

Jesus was not where they expected.

They still did not believe the message.

Transition: That kind of shock can block us from hearing anyone, angel or no, a message from God or not.

TITW: Unexpected events often terrifies us.

Losing someone you love is enough, but not able to see that they are laid to rest can cause real turmoil.

During the pandemic, we saw how many were not allowed to be with their loved ones without risking becoming sick themselves or spreading the virus.

Even funerals were limited in size.

Most would or could have expected this.

Something about it disturbs our souls, ruins our expectations, and makes us feel less confident and less content about the future.

But, when we are allowed some time to recover, and be reminded of all the good that came before, something new can unfold.

When those good things come with promises of the future, we want to make sure they are fulfilled, not just for us but for our loved Ones as well.

The loss can be a bittersweet event.

In one sense, the angel's news that Jesus had risen was a tragedy.

In another sense, the angel's news that Jesus had risen was the best news they ever heard.

This was a new day.

A day that never existed before,

A day that changed all meaning for their past and their future.

A day that changed their understanding of who was God.

The angel said that Jesus had risen.

The tomb was not where he belonged, and death held no power over him.

No stone was going to hold him back.

No King, Governor, Emperor or Religious leader could stop him.

No law made by man or Scriptural interpretation could condemn him.

Jesus had risen.

At some point, in some way, the women’s terror gave way, and the other disciples became concerned as well, wanting to know what happened to Jesus.

Jesus would not leave them alone to wonder.

Jesus had risen but had not left them in their disobedience and failure.

Jesus was risen but would not be living for himself.

Instead, Jesus would be with them again.

Jesus would be with them again where they lived and as they lived, in Galilee.

Jesus would redeem them.

Jesus would gather them together again as his disciples.

Jesus would continue his work among them and through them, as part of him, his Body.

Jesus would be with them forever, as long as they kept their faith in him.

Jesus belonged with his people, those who loved him.

That is where Jesus would be.

His ministry to them did not change, and it has not changed for us, even to this day.

Without the constraints of the flesh, Jesus lives in and through those who believe in the world today.

Jesus is risen in us among us, that is where we can expect him to be.

Thankfully, there were ways we could come together amidst the pandemic: some digital and others just by being cautious, curbing out limited expectations, and giving us hope for the future when we can all get together again in the flesh.

We come through trauma, remembering the past, letting go of what constrains us, and holding on to each other.

The hope that we have is in Jesus Christ, brought together as his body, and continuing to live for him in the world.

This is a hope found in Jesus Christ, the One who would be our Lord, and who is most definitely our Savior.

Jesus lives for the glory of God, and we live for his glory.

His glory comes as we are about our mission

given by our Lord and Savior is to invite others to enter his kingdom with faith that faces all the unknowns, that faces our terror head-on.

Because, only by facing our fears and pain head-on is the Light of Jesus Christ made to shine the brightest. Only by doing so together are we built up in him.

Let us say together in all the world, Christ is Risen. He is Risen, indeed.