Matthew 28.1-10 NRSV courtesy of www.biblestudytools.com
1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
We have entered the Easter season.......beginning with Easter morn when, with a shout of joy (and occassionally a trumpet) we announce He is not here! He has been raised! just like the angel did. Of the many important things to remember about this amazing story, here is the first. Easter is not just a day, it is a season, a way of life, a guiding star, a gift that never ends.
Easter is more that just that dawning of the first day of the week. It is the dawning of the first day of the rest of our lives as human beings, as a world, as children of God. No wonder there was an earthquake; something new was being born. Or, if you remember Nicodemus (John 3) the whole world was 'being born again from above.'
In Matthew's recounting of the Easter discovery, we hear the angel say, "Come and see. Go and tell" As was the theme of my Easter morning message, these four words help us to wrestle with the significance of this day/event/gift in the world and in our lives. I always look at these opportunities to revisit my faith commitments as a gift from God - a chance to 'change my oil' (getting rid of the old, worn out useless stuff in my life) and refresh my relationship with God.
Come and See. A good question is What did you come expecting to see? The women came to the tomb expecting to see death, and as sad as they were at Jesus' death, they were not surprised that death awaited them. It was the natural course of things. Thus their shock at the angel visitation.
What are we looking for when we approach God? Are we consumed with our own pre-conceived notions and agendas?
Do we come to the tomb expecting that God will erase all that brings sorrow into our lives (not being bold enough to expect this to happen for the whole world)? Do we come to the tomb expecting to experience something mystical, life changing, all warm and impressive?
How willing are we to accept the message that the angel carries? Are we truly willing to accept a mystical life changing experience, or have we come to the tomb only to find that the stone has not been rolled back from our hearts and so we see and hear nothing of importance? What do we 'see' when we come to the tomb?
Now, what message do we carry to others? I believe this is the great point of challenge for most of us. What do we say about what we have heard, believed, hoped for? Even I have had to work to find words that are heartfelt, easy to understand, personal and true to the importance of the relationship between Jesus and me and my life. (Hard to believe, huh. Me being at a loss for words).
So this may be the exact place for us to stop and consider. What message do we carry? Do we carry a message of 'must', as in 'you must believe in Jesus.'? Do we carry a message of exclusivity, as in 'you need to be in church '? Do we carry a message about laws and rituals and requirements that WE must follow?
Or do we carry a message of God's gift? Do we carry a message of love, as in 'even when I am at my worst, I can turn to God and find the divine presence that forgives.' Do we carry a message of life overflowing, as in 'each day I discover a new way that God is working in and through my life.'?
Come and see. Go and tell. Let's be working on that 'tell' part so we get better at sharing this joy in Jesus with others.
It's easy to "go and tell" to other people that share your faith.. those conversations are always very easy, but it's not so easy to "go adn tell" to others that may not hold your views... It's so important that we all examine the message we are carrying and how we are carrying it. I catch myself thinking and doing two different things sometimes and wonder how that must look to others... We are not perfect, we are not without hardships, we are not claiming to have the perfect lives because we have the gift of God in our lives. I struggle explainning my faith sometimes and realize that when I do that I'm not making a very strong case for Team Jesus, but it's something that must be re-examined constantly and re-worked as you learn and grow in your faith... I absolutely love the Easter season.... it renews the "light" in me and lets me shine a little brighter! now trying to convey that message is where it gets tricky! :)
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