April 16, 2017 (10:30am)
Easter
John 20:1-18
(prayer)
The four biblical gospels all relay
the Easter story slightly differently. Like how many and which women (or men)
went to the tomb; how many angels there were; and when, where and to whom does
Jesus appear? In summary, these are the basic, amalgamated details:
1
women
come to the tomb (at first light on Sunday) to finish Jesus' burial ritual that
was interrupted by the onset of the Sabbath on Friday: sadness is the dominate
emotion,
2
they
discover that Jesus' body was gone: fear accompanies sadness,
3
an
angelic messenger proclaims that Jesus is risen: the women are told to 'not be
afraid' and to share the good news of Jesus' resurrection,
4
Then,
Jesus appears in person... alleviating any doubt about the angel's
proclamation.
We read John's version this
morning. Other than the fact that it
implies that Mary Magdaline went to the tomb alone, it basically follows the
amalgamated pattern.
//
I mentioned several times
throughout the season of Lent over the past several weeks, that the Gospel of
John uses a lot of poet8c license to play around with the details (compared to
how the other gospels tell it). John is
always less about history and more about meaning.
One of the beautify aspects
to the fourth gospel's Easter narrative is how personal the experiences
are. The first half of chapter 20
invites us to see Easter through Mary's
eyes and heart. During the last half of
chapter 20, we share Thomas'
experience. Chapter 21 focuses on Simon Peter.
//
Each of these disciples is
deeply burdened in some way. Their
personal connection to the Risen Christ brings relief to their souls.
//
//
Mary - resurrection was not
on her mind at all. Jesus' body was
gone... stolen for some reason. There
was no joy behind her tears. Only a
compounded sadness.
Sir,
if you have taken away the body, please tell me where it is and I will take it
away.
Mary!
With that one word, sadness
becomes joy.
//
Thomas - the text doesn't
tell us where he had gone, but given that the huddled group of disciples were
from out of town, a good guess would be that he was out running some errand for
the group... maybe a post-sabbath food run.
He knew that he had missed
something big; the mood in the room was almost celebratory... 180° turn around.
Mary was right... she DID see the Lord this morning. Jesus was here... while you were gone.
Thomas could not share
their excitement. The only emotion he
could muster was disappointment.
A week later and his mood
had not improved, no matter how many times the others told the story.
I
just won't believe that it's real nless I see and touch Jesus for myself.
Thomas. Come over here and take a look.
With that generous
invitation, exclusion became inclusion.
Disappointment gave way to faith.
//
Peter - Jesus had nicknamed
him The Rock, but he felt a lot more
like Simon than Peter ever since that night outside the high priest's
house. Some "rock" he was --
crumbled go dust as soon as a little pressure was applied. Not just once, but three times.
I'm
going fishing.
Simon, son of
John, do you love me?
You
know I love you.
Then feed my
sheep.
Three times the question
was asked and answered.
Put you love into
action, Peter. I'll take that over
words, any day.
Simon, the fishermen was
still a valued fisher of people.
Jesus' blatant forgiveness
melted away the guilt that Peter was carrying.
With words of encouragement
regret becomes resilience.
//
//
Resurrection turned around
the disciples' lives...
·
The
burden of Sadness became Joy.
·
The
burden of Exclusion became Inclusion.
·
The
burden of Regret became Resilience.
//
Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you that are
weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke
upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will
find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’
(Mt11:28-30)
//
Like Mary, Thomas and
Peter, are we ready to allow resurrection to change us? To un-burden us to new life?
//
//
Let us pray:
Mighty God,
As we move through every sorrow and
trial of this life, uphold us with knowledge that we are redeemed and restored
to the fullness of life and forever freed to be your people. Amen.
**offering**
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