An Instrument of Life

Matthew 28: 1 - 10

Three Days Later…
The story starts out slowly as the sun emerges from the horizon. The other disciples are not around, but it is Mary Magdalene and Mary who travel to the tomb at dawn. Suddenly an earthquake shakes the land. This is not the first earthquake of the week. A few days earlier at the death of Jesus, the earth shook and rocks tumbled. A centurion guard witnessed these events and confessed, “Truly this man was God’s son!”

Suddenly, an angel wearing brilliant white descends, rolls back the tomb, and sits on the rock. This is enough to terrify the guards. First, the guards react with trembling before they freeze, immobilized by their fear. The angel speaks to the two women and utters remarkable words: “do not be afraid. . . he has been raised. . . go quickly . . . tell . . .”
Like the guards, the women are terrified; but the good news proclaimed by the angel brings them such great joy that they are compelled to move past their fear into action. They were afraid but they are able to run to tell others. They did not understand what was happening, but they are able to respond. These women have an interesting place in the history of the Church, because they were the first preachers of the good news of the Gospel… that Jesus Christ, who was dead, is alive! These women depart as willing witnesses to the risen Christ.

The story is not over. Not by any stretch of the imagination. Things happen quickly on this Easter morning. Just as the angel appeared suddenly, so the risen Christ appeared suddenly to the women. Unlike the immobilized guards, the women respond with purpose and action. They worship Jesus. They drop to their knees to worship the risen Jesus. Like the angel, Jesus responds with a pastoral word, “Do not be afraid.” Then they run back and tell the others… “HE IS RISEN!!! HE IS ALIVE!!! WE HAVE SEEN THE MASTER WITH OUR OWN EYES!!! HALLELUJAH!!! JESUS IS ALIVE!!!”

Throughout the story of Jesus’ Crucifixion and Death, these women… these disciples… have undergone a sensory and psychological overload… How can their minds and hearts not be swirling like a whirlpool? At this point, life makes no sense. These women know Jesus had been crucified and buried. They were first-hand witnesses to the brutal reality of it all, including the finality of the death and burial of Jesus. But now – Jesus has defeated death. Jesus’ victory over death, hell, and the grave changes everything once and for all. No wonder Jesus commissions the women . . . go and tell.

Throughout the Lenten season, one of the themes of this series of sermons, and of my personal prayer time, has been the Peace Prayer of Francis of Assisi.
The prayer concludes with the petition, “it is dying that we are born to eternal life.” That is the Promise of Easter… That is the Good News of the Gospel! Because Jesus Christ died and defeated death, we are given the victory! We have been assured of eternal life in Christ Jesus!

The prayer names many human experiences – hatred, injury, doubt, despair, darkness, and sadness. But, the prayer counters each negative with a specific blessing which might be extended by an individual. By the grace of God, a disciple of the risen Christ can be turned into an instrument of peace, love, pardon, faith, hope, light, and joy.

The Power of God can transform a person from being self-centered and full of self-pity into someone committed to extending consolation, understanding, and love to another person.

Alleluia! Jesus Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

P.S. Prayer
Lord, Make us instruments of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy;
Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled
as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is giving that we receive,
it is pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dyin g that we are born to eternal life. Amen

I Bid You Peace, and God's Blessings for a Happy Easter!

Pastor Ken+