Easter Surprise
Click Here to Download This Week's Bulletin
John 20: 1-18
The excitement of Easter is filled with surprise! Not the surprises that I looked forward to as a small boy – (how big a chocolate bunny would I get – and would it be SOLID chocolate or hallow?)
No, there are greater things! The core surprise of Easter for those first disciples is that Jesus was more powerful than death itself!
Easter Surprise
That first Easter morning was full of emotion: grief, confusion, joy! You name it! There was no shortage of emotion for those first disciples. And each one processed Easter differently. Three people we read about today, all had different emotions.
Mary goes to the tomb first, early in the morning before the light. We know from other accounts that she went to care for the dead body with herbs and oils. But she discovers what she assumes is a crime scene. Somebody moved the stone and robbed the grave! In panic, fear…she runs to get hep from the disciples.
One disciple runs to the tomb, bends over to look in and sees grave clothes neatly folded…and believes. I guess he believed that Jesus rose from the dead, but what now? He just walks away.
Another disciple, Peter, sees the grave clothes too, but there is no indication what of if he believes. They both go away from the tomb… perhaps they believe Jesus is alive…but can’t imagine he’s still on the earth or anywhere close by. They tell no one, they seem shocked at best.
The third person is Mary. Instead of walking away, she weeps and stays there at the empty tomb. Like the other two, she has no idea what to think. But she lingers…and sees more. First she sees two angels. Then, the most personal surprise, the risen Jesus calls her by name.
For Mary, as Jesus call her name, she experiences the Resurrection! Life out of death has arrived. She is overwhelmed…and breathes out, Rabbouni, in awe and believing her eyes…that Jesus is alive. From this moment on, we could call Mary an Easter person. She is a believer, the first, that Jesus rose from the dead!
Of course, she doesn’t understand or all the significance of that…but He is alive! Jesus is Risen!
When Jesus sends her to tell the disciples, Mary becomes the first evangelist.
Can you imagine what Mary was thinking as she ran to tell the disciples, her heart racing with a mix of emotions. Was it possible? Could it be true?
At first, maybe they didn’t believe her. The idea was too shocking—it seemed impossible. But soon, Jesus Himself appeared to the disciples…alive. Death had not defeated Him. The grave could not hold Him. The cross wasn’t the end of the story. It was the beginning of something new.
The Resurrection Changes Everything
Within just a few days, Mary and the disciples came to understand that what happened to Jesus had been foretold by the scriptures. Power and privilege are at the heart of human brokenness. They had caused the Jewish people to be in exile. The power and privilege of the Egyptian Pharao and the population who supported him had sent countless people to be driven out of their homes, their cities, their children in exile. The armies of Babylon and Rome didn’t distinguish between fighters and innocents. So many lost their lives in wars with no purpose other than the powerful and privileged seeking more. The people of God, were called to stand above seeking power and privilege in this world, but there too, human hearts sought power and privilege and corrupted what God intended.
In Jesus, God came to reveal this brokenness. Jesus named corruption and evil. Jesus spent three decades siding with the poor, the marginalized, and the oppressed. He learned their names, like Mary. He lifted the dignity of ALL people. He showed compassion and empathy – without regard for a person’s status, wealth, or power. He called out the religious elite for mis-using religion to justify killing people, or to justify prejudice and oppression of people who are poor, lepers, or marginalized.
Jesus’ life shined a light on the power-hungry and self-centered behaviors, in relion and in the Roman government as well.
As we’ve read through the Gospel of John leading up to Easter…last week, as we heard the Pharasees (religious leaders of Israel) saying, “the whole world is going after Jesus.”
You see, the kind of society Jesus promoted was very good. Loving you neighbors, sharing power and privilege…the kind of love Jesus demonstrated…gave masses of people enormous hope.
Jesus showed the ways of God. Jesus called this way of life, the Kingdom of Heaven, on earth. And He demonstrated HOW we could live this way.
But evil sought to destroy good. The religious leaders with power and privilege, whipped up the crowd and manipulated the government to hunt Jesus down in the streets, to arrest him, torture him, and ultimately give him a death sentence – on the cross. All this, in the name of religion.
How did Jesus respond? Jesus did not respond with hate or violence. He stopped Peter from using the sword. In the face of evil…Jesus spoke the truth in love. And they killed him.
His disciples didn’t understand…in fact, they ran away in fear.
It appeared – for a time - like the ways of this world had the greater power.
But, the resurrection changes everything. It means that sin and death do NOT have the final word. It proves that Jesus is who He claimed to be—the Son of God, the Savior of the world.
But just like Mary at the tomb, we each have a choice in how we respond.
Will we believe in the power of the resurrection?
Will we run to share the good news?
Will we allow it to change our lives?
Jesus’ resurrection isn’t just a historical event—it’s a personal invitation. If you’re wondering what it means for your life…it means that whatever imprisons you does not have the last word.
I remember a lady I knew in a mental hospital. I worked there as a chaplain, and each day she prayed to God. But when she prayed, she would pray out loud, praying, “God kill so-and-so”. “I hate so-and-so”. This lady had a diagnosis that manifested itself like this. But there are many people, some in powerful government positions…some who are religious leaders…and some like you and me - in homes across this country – that pray for hate and murder.
Are you struggling with hate or anger today – call on Jesus, to free you from hate.
Are you feeling hopeless today because of a loss - a person you loved – Jesus is speaking your name today. There is room to grieve, and there is also hope, to walk with Jesus today.
If you’re not sure how you can find a community, let Jesus open the doors of this place and teach us all to be neighbors with mutual love and respect.
The cross of Jesus stands before us today, not as a symbol of the world’s power to kill, to oppress, and to marginalize. No, the resurrection changes everything! The resurrection puts all the evils of this world in their place. Love has the last word. Put your trust in Jesus today, who is risen – He rose without violence, selfishness, or hate. Let Jesus show you a better way.
Dwelling with the presence of God
Our God, your God, is not far away, judging you. And God is not powerless.
Our human lives are shared with the presence of God who is calling YOUR name.
May God walk with you through this life,
lead you from temptations to new strength
from fear to hope
from feeling helpless to knowing God’s power
because YOU are a child of God,
participating in God’s Kingdom come alive today.
With Jesus alive beside you. Amen
Pastor Doug Cox