The report to the disciples from the women at the tomb was met with derision - "nonsense" [NIV], "an idle tale" [NRSV]. We may accept it as an article of faith, but our understanding of Easter's meaning shows that there's plenty with which we still struggle.
To his credit, Peter is roused by this wild report of an empty tomb and rushes off to see for himself. He comes away from the tomb "wondering to himself what had happened." It's that wondment that gathers Christians together each spring at Easter as we should conitnue to wonder and wrestle with the meaning of all this.
The prophet Isaiah in ch. 65 shares God's vision, a new thing so stunning that all of the glory days of the bpast will be forgotten. the terms are spelled out as new life for God's despairing people now, not later, not in an afterlife. It means people gaining form their labor, eating the fruits of their harvest, living in the home sthat they build, enjoying vital health that extends their lives. It isn't later; the new life is to happen now.
We may forget how to wrestle with Easter's empty tomb, accepting the layers of tradition that conveniently fail to recall the controversial nature of all that p[receded that empty tomb. There is the dramatic challenge to the establishment leaders of riding into Jerusalem to cheers of "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord." There is the conniving behind Jesus' back while he teaches in the Temple. There is the nighttime arrest by the Temple guard. There is the torture and humiliation. There is Pilate's indiefference to his life. There is the agonizing execution by crucifixion, hours upon hours of slow death on a cross. Yet somehow, we think the empty tomb means something else for us.
Check out the sermon video for more, and note the downloads below the video panel.
To his credit, Peter is roused by this wild report of an empty tomb and rushes off to see for himself. He comes away from the tomb "wondering to himself what had happened." It's that wondment that gathers Christians together each spring at Easter as we should conitnue to wonder and wrestle with the meaning of all this.
The prophet Isaiah in ch. 65 shares God's vision, a new thing so stunning that all of the glory days of the bpast will be forgotten. the terms are spelled out as new life for God's despairing people now, not later, not in an afterlife. It means people gaining form their labor, eating the fruits of their harvest, living in the home sthat they build, enjoying vital health that extends their lives. It isn't later; the new life is to happen now.
We may forget how to wrestle with Easter's empty tomb, accepting the layers of tradition that conveniently fail to recall the controversial nature of all that p[receded that empty tomb. There is the dramatic challenge to the establishment leaders of riding into Jerusalem to cheers of "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord." There is the conniving behind Jesus' back while he teaches in the Temple. There is the nighttime arrest by the Temple guard. There is the torture and humiliation. There is Pilate's indiefference to his life. There is the agonizing execution by crucifixion, hours upon hours of slow death on a cross. Yet somehow, we think the empty tomb means something else for us.
Check out the sermon video for more, and note the downloads below the video panel.
| 03-27-16-ff-answers.pdf |
| 03-27-16-idle_tale-miracle-more-easter.pdf |