Feast of the Resurrection /Year B April 1, 2018
Luther Memorial Church Seattle, WA
The Rev. Julie Hutson
Isaiah 25: 6-9 + Acts 10: 34-43 + John 20: 1-18
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Christ is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
Preachers across the Church have been eagerly anticipating this day. In part because it means that Lent has come to an end and we are reminded of the glorious gift of the resurrection! And in part because it means that we will celebrate this day with full houses and pancake breakfasts and Easter lilies and we get to welcome people with great joy. So, welcome!
But this year it’s something more. It’s not very often that Easter sermons practically write themselves, but on April Fool’s Day they do just that. Jesus was crucified and he’s dead and buried….no he’s not! April Fool’s. Or would that be, Easter Fools. Or, as our sign says: YOLO. J/K. J.C. Translated for those not on social media: You only live once. Just kidding. Jesus Christ.
The Easter story is one of the most celebrated stories of Christianity and of the Cadbury Crème Egg company. And it IS a story that feels hard to believe at times. That’s part of the beauty and gift of it. That this is no ordinary thing that God does in the world. That new life does, so often, feel like an impossibility. And yet, with God, all things are possible.
Peter and the Beloved disciple have such a hard time believing Mary when she tells them “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb and we do not know where they have laid him” that they took off running….literally RACING each other to see for themselves. When they got to the tomb they saw the linen wrappings that had been wrapped around the corpse. And then, these two disciples go home.
But Mary. This whole part of the story turns on those two words. But Mary….stood weeping outside the tomb.
It’s puzzling, these different responses. Peter and the Beloved Disciple race to see for themselves, check it out, and then go back home. Just like that.
But Mary. Mary stands and weeps. Because nothing is as it should be. Jesus is dead and now his body is missing. Nothing is like what they thought would happen.
We know something of how Mary feels, all of us. We have all been confused or disappointed or devastated in our lifetimes. And we will be again.
And we, as the people of God here in 2018 know something of being confused or disappointed or devastated. Signs of hope….signs of new life….are hard to find. Day after day we are faced with stories of such massive brokenness in our world….women who are abused by men of power and privilege. Abuse that the church is not exempt from. Gun violence that robs us of our beloveds in numbers so staggering we have become immune to them. Racism that is still a reality in our nation even after all of these years. Women who are still not paid in equitable ways. Rights of our LGTBQ siblings being dialed back to the days when they were not valued and not appreciated and not welcome.
Where do we find new life in these days? Where do we find resurrection? Where do we find the Easter story?
Because, like an April Fool’s joke, the Easter story can seem hard to believe. How can a man, who everyone saw die….not be in that tomb? How does resurrection happen? How can what was dead live again?
And this is the good news, beloved community. This is why this preacher has so looked forward to gathering here, with you, on this day. In the midst of so much death….death of dreams, death of values, death of equality, death of our children, death of hope….in the midst of all of that death….resurrection is springing up around us.
Resurrection is called: #MeToo
Resurrection is called: PRIDE
Resurrection is called: Enough is Enough
Resurrection is called: #ChurchToo
Resurrection is called: Women’s March
Resurrection is called: March for Our Lives
All around us, new life is rising up from the ashes of death to claim and proclaim the power of the resurrection in our lives. This is how resurrection is possible. This is how resurrection happens and continues to happen in 2018. The powers of sin and the powers of death will not be allowed to hold sway in this world as long as the tomb is empty.
Resurrection is possible because Jesus Christ is risen today.
Resurrection is possible because the people of God are rising up in the face of death, sin, and oppression.
Resurrection is possible because the tomb is empty but God’s promises are fulfilled.
People of God…..we rise up because we believe that another way is possible.
Peter and the Beloved Disciple raced to see because they hoped that another way was possible.
But Mary…..Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, with a heart so full of love that she refused to give up on another way. She refused to return home. She was determined to find out where Jesus was. And she did not leave until he had found her.
In these days and in all days we have two choices:
We can live in fear…fear of the other….fear of the possibilities of new life. Fear of what happens when we unclench our fists and our minds and really listen to each other.
Or we can rise up and live in resurrection hope. We can embrace the promise of new life.
Like Mary, we can hear Jesus call us each by name. Call us beloved and then tell us….go and tell the others what you have seen. That Christ is risen. That resurrection is possible. That we have seen the Lord.
Rise Up, beloved community.
Rise up, people of God.
Rise up and proclaim….Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Christ is Risen, Indeed! Alleluia!
Thanks be to God and let the church rise up and say…Amen.