THE PASSION WEEK: SUNDAY:

The women have spent the evening gathering and preparing spices to go and anoint Jesus’ body as soon as the Sabbath is passed. They fitfully snooze intermittently awakening through the long night. It is still dark, morning not yet come, when one said, “None of us can sleep. Let’ just go ahead and go.” The others agree. They gather their tunics and spices and head into the darkened streets. They are alone as they trudge through the empty avenues. The birds are not yet singing. Only an early rooster falsely crows that dawn has come. As they walk, they begin to whisper the question that has plagued them throughout the night. “How will we get in? We can never move that huge stone. How?” As they leave the city, the eastern sky on their right begins to lighten. The birds begin to sing. Just as they enter the garden and approach the tomb, the first rays of the rising sun illuminate the rockface of the grave. The women abruptly halt, stumbling into one another, astonished. The mouth of the tomb gapes open; the stone pushed off to the side. Cautiously, timidly, they enter the sepulcher to an even greater shock: there is no body! Yet, the tomb was not empty. To either side of the stone shelf where Jesus’ corpse had been laid, are two in shining white array. Angels. They seek to calm the women. “Don’t be afraid. We know that you seek Jesus. But, He is, as you can see,” the angel points to the empty ledge, “He is not here! He is risen!” The other spoke, “Go tell the Eleven, and all His other followers.” Greatly amazed, trembling, the woman slowly leave the garden. Mary Magdalene in her haste is separated from the others. She is in a hurry. She searches for the Eleven, but finds Peter and John. At the news, those two rush away running at full speed. They leave Mary alone. She feels drawn to return to the garden. A question gnaws: “If Jesus is not in the tomb, where is He?” John is younger and faster. He passes panting Peter, and enters the garden ahead of him. He brakes at the entrance of the open tomb. Fear or wonder or the prospects of what he might find stops him. He only sticks his head into the door. His eyes begin to adjust to the dark. It is true. Jesus’ body is not there. Nothing is there. Except…except the linen, the shroud, with which Joseph and Nicodemus had wrapped him. He hears Peter approaching him. Peter pushes past John. John follows him. Then, they notice together not just the linen cloth but also the face napkin neatly folded, over to one side. Greatly wondering and beginning to believe, they find themselves exiting the garden as Mary re-enters. Mary stands before the tomb. The adrenaline of her wonder has turned to weeping. Blinded by her tears, she looks again into the sepulcher. The two angels have reappeared. “Woman, why are you crying,” they ask. “Because,” she chokes out, “They have stolen the body of my Lord, and I don’t know what they have done with it.” She turns away from the tomb and is startled by a man standing in front of her. She is half-turned away from this impediment in her way when He spoke. “Woman, why are you crying? Tell me for whom you are searching.” Not looking at him, she mistakes the man for the gardener and thinks, “Here is a man who may be able to tell me what they have done with Jesus’ body.” “Sir,” she pleads, “If you have had to move him, please tell me where. I will take his body off your hands.” There is a slight pause. Then, He speaks again. Just one word. Her name; “Mary.” As two questions collide in her head, “How does he know my name?” and “Why is that voice is so very familiar?” it begins to strike her who He was. She whirls around and sees Him. It is Jesus! Her voice shaking with wonder and love and relief, she too responds with one word, “Master.” Later, this day Jesus appears to the other women who, having left the tomb, are on their way to report to the remaining of the Eleven. That evening He will appear to the Eleven. Well, to ten. Thomas refuses the company of the others. Two other disciples had decided to get out of Dodge—Jerusalem. He will make an appearance to them. They will return to Jerusalem. But, first He had appeared to Mary. Only afterward, as others tell their experience of having seen the Risen Lord, does Mary realize she was the first! Jesus had appeared to her first! A woman! One who had been possessed with seven demons! One who had lived so wickedly! One who had been shunned by society! Today, I reserve my commentary to one note, a quote from Jesus Himself. No reflection on the Resurrection and all it ramifications could result in a more concise conclusion: “Because I live, you will live also!” --Jesus May we realize Jesus is truly risen from the dead. People today are still encountering the Risen Lord. If you have not, because He is risen, you could run into Him today. If you do, you will know it is He. He will have known where to find you. He will know your name. There will be something about how He speaks to you. If that happens, there is but one response, “Master.” Jesus lives! Scriptures: Matt. 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-20; Luke 24:1-53; John 20:1-25

THE PASSION WEEK: SUNDAY:

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