Week 21 | Easter Day
The Collect:
O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Scripture:
Psalm 71:1-11: Lord you alone are my hope!.
Luke 24:1-12: He is not here, he has risen...
Homily:
This Holy Week we have been exploring the idea that the story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, the events that took place this week, and the way that Matthew describes what takes place on Easter Sunday, kind of help show that Jesus’ entry, His betrayal, His crucifixion, death, and resurrection make the best, mystery, action, love story ever!
Think about the scene of Mary and the other Mary heading to take care of Jesus’ body, preparing the things they needed and then getting there and the shock they went through, and then leaving to tell the others. Notice that they didn’t say to Peter and John, “we have good news Jesus is alive,” no instead they exclaim: “they took Jesus’ body, and we don’t know where they put it.”
After hearing that Jesus’ body is gone, Peter and John run to the tomb? Why did they run? Ever think about that? Was there something there, a little glimmer perhaps just a little bit of hope perhaps? But when they get there, and there is no one there, the tomb is empty they leave probably sadder, more and even defeated.
John tells us that until that moment they did not understand nor believe. They should have, however, because the prophecy had told them, and Jesus told them he would be destroyed and rise again in three days.
They didn’t get it until just then.
Somehow though the religious leaders knew that if there was no body that prophecy would have been fulfilled. The religious leaders knew! They knew this was going to be huge, so huge that they bribed the soldiers guarding the tomb so that Jesus’ disciples would not move His body and claim Jesus had resurrected; they were paid to say that Jesus’ disciples did take the body.
What were they trying to stop?
HOPE
It was hope that the religious leaders were trying to crush.
They knew that rebellions are built on hope.
They wanted to crush any hope that Jesus’ followers may have had, they knew that if they didn’t know what would happen.
But they couldn’t stop hope! They couldn’t contain Him!
Benediction:
Our risen Lord, Our risen Savior, we thank you
that through your death and resurrection you have made and are making all things new.
Thank you for the victory and the hope that we now have
through your victory on the cross and your victory over death.
Help us to walk in that victory with power and with humility, so that your light shine into the darkness and so the world will see your light.
Amen