What a day it turned out to be, in fact what a life changing and challenging week it had been. Jesus’ arrest, interrogation and crucifixion, leading to his death on the cross, had seen his faithful followers scatter and hide themselves away, as they shared with each other their grief for a son, brother, teacher, friend Lord and Master who had been brutally murdered at the hands of the Romans and Jewish authorities. It had been three days since he had been skewered on that cross like a piece of meat. Three days since the great droplets of blood had trickled slowly to the ground from his head, his hands and his feet. They had all looked on helplessly thinking the end had come, asking why God had allowed it to happen, why he hadn’t stepped in and stopped it. After all he was the all powerful God, wasn’t he? All of His teaching and their learning, suddenly forgotten, out of the window. What a waste of a wonderful life they thought, so much lay ahead of him, so much he still had to do. All of it shattered, all of their dreams broken. Hearts split in two, minds confused, darkness and grief surrounded them. They were alone and scared behind a locked door uncertain of what to do next.
Early on that Easter morning Mary went to the tomb where Jesus’ body laid. It was between 3 and 6am in the darkness and stillness of the early morning. She couldn’t wait any longer, she felt compelled to go. Was she there in accordance with the customs of Palestine, visiting the body for three consecutive days after death had occurred, because she believed that his spirit hovered around the tomb before it departed and only when his body had began to decompose did it leave. Was she there to check that his grave was still properly sealed, as grave robbing was quite common, was she there to grieve, was she there with more spices, or was she there just to be at his side and to pray? The authorities had made sure that the entrance to the tomb had been properly sealed so that no one could get in. After all they didn’t want anyone to claim that he had risen from the dead. He was dead and they wanted it to stay that way.
It was a Sunday morning, the start of a new day, the start of a new week. But not only was it the start of a new week, it was to be the start of the new covenant, a new beginning, all the hope and despair that existed only days before was about to turn to great joy and happiness.
Mary approached the tomb her eyes filled with tears, her grief so great. The entrance to the tomb was open. Thoughts rushed through her mind. Someone has taken my Lord’s body, she thought. Was it grave robbers who had carried out this last vile act or was it the Jewish authorities, not satisfied with killing him but they wanted to desecrate and mutilate his dead body.
But what she failed to considered was the fact that he had risen from death, just as he had predicted so many times and just as the Hebrew Scriptures had also predicted.
Scared and uncertain she ran to find Simon Peter and to tell him of her discovery. Mary, Peter and the disciple Jesus loved (probably John) returned to the tomb to find overwhelming evidence that Jesus had risen from the dead. The first piece of evidence was the fact that the tomb was empty, secondly the strips of cloth that had been wrapped around his body were laying there empty and lastly the cloth that had covered his head was folded and placed to one side. It was as though his body had evaporated. Yet despite all of this Peter still did not see the evidence for what it was, he were blinded. Was he blinded by ignorance, grief, disbelief or was he just unable to interpret all of the evidence that was before him? Was it too much for him to take in? But then as the other disciple entered the tomb, he saw, understood and believed. They both left and returned to where they were staying.
Mary remained at the tomb, weeping. She had been too afraid to go into the tomb, scared of what she might find. But when she did gather enough courage her grief turned to confusion as she had difficulty in understanding what she saw. His body was now gone, Angels, messengers from God, were in the place where Jesus once lay. The empty tomb and grave cloths were evidence to the two disciples that Jesus had been raised from the dead. The Angels were also to Mary evidence of the resurrection. But how could anyone in a normal state of mind understand this, let alone someone who was distraught with grief? Then she received the shock of her life as someone calls out her name – Mary. She recognised the voice as that of Jesus the good shepherd, standing there right in front of her. He looked the same but yet he was somehow different. Rabboni, she utters, as she reaches out to hold him, scared that she might lose him again, but he tells her “No I am not yet ascended to the Father.” She doesn’t understand that their relationship has now changed; there is a new and different bond between them. No longer is it a physical relationship, but a spiritual one.
In John 10:27-30 Jesus says “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” The sheep hear the voice of the Good Shepherd as he calls his own sheep by their name. They recognise the Shepherd’s voice." Suddenly Mary realises that the voice she has heard is not that of the gardener, but that of the good Shepherd, the one who has freely laid down his life for the flock. Jesus tells Mary to go and tell his brothers the news. So Mary Magdalene went again to where Jesus’ faithful followers were staying.
Mary took with her a message of hope, of promise and of assurance. It was also a message telling of love and forgiveness, which would change the world forever. This woman who had been a prostitute, who had been sinful, she was the one who was to play an important part in the resurrection story by sharing the news with others. She had loved Jesus more than anyone outside his family had ever loved him.
She was indebted to him as he had accepted her just as she was. There was no edge to him, no conditions to his love and for this she was so deeply grateful. It was fitting that she should be the first to tell the good news.
As Mary frantically knocked on the door, the disciples were inside unsure who it was trying to gain entry. Was it the authorities who had come to round them up? The knocking was intense and incessant. But then they recognised the voice, though the words were stifled with tears. It was Mary. She told them her story, Peter and John set off at full kilter to investigate. John was younger and fitter, he got there first but Peter soon arrived and he was the first to go into the tomb. It was empty except for two pieces of cloth, which lay there, as if his body had just disappeared. The cloth that covered his head was folded to one side. A significant point in Hebrew tradition was when the master had left the table, having finished a meal, his napkin was thrown down in a crumpled heap to show that he had finished, but when he was going to return it would be neatly folded, so that the servant knew not to clear the table. Jesus had not gone away and left for good. He was returning and the folded head cloth reinforced this fact.
Because of the sinfulness of humanity towards God, some form of atonement was needed to put things right and correct the sins of humankind and restore our relationship with God. Anselm of Canterbury believed that there was nothing on earth that could be used that was suitable for the purpose or sufficient enough to make the payment. This was because humans had sinned so humans should pay the price. So that sacrifice had to be both God and human and it had to be done through love, freely and without obligation. That is why Jesus suffered for and on behalf of us all. It was for the healing of relationships and for the sins of everyone. John Wesley believed these words to be the heart of the gospel. He epitomised them in his sayings of the four alls. All need to be saved; all can be saved; all can know they are saved, and all can be saved to the uttermost.
Perhaps there have been or still are occasions in your lives when you have found it difficult to understand a situation or have found it hard to believe. We question God and ask why does he allow these things to happen?
When the death occurs of someone who has been a really good Christian, someone who has worked tirelessly for God in so many ways and when they die they are only in their mid 60’s the family ask the question why? As humans we are unable to see through our grief and beyond that which troubles us. We are blinded by our own pain or inability to comprehend the entirety of our problems. We feel wounded, as if God has left us alone and no longer cares for us. This is far from the truth. He feels our sorrow and he shares our grief and knows our sadness. We don’t understand but God does. When we commit our lives to serving God that is when we really start to understand the reality of his presence with us and our purpose here on earth.
The Easter story is a significant key to our Christian faith and shows us that we can and must have belief and confidence that Jesus will accomplish all he said he would achieve, because he has risen from the dead. The resurrection for some can be very difficult to understand and accept. It was difficult for Mary, Peter and all of the other disciples to understand. They didn’t really understand, so you can rest assured it is OK for you and me to feel the same. But Jesus’ bodily resurrection shows us that the living Christ is the ruler of God’s eternal Kingdom and because of this we can be certain of our own resurrection. Death is not the end, although it may be emotional for those who are left behind. The resurrection is a living witness to the world that Jesus is alive and the power that brought him back from the dead can also bring back those who are spiritually dead.
We may pass through different stages of belief. Firstly we may think that this story is made up and is impossible to believe. Then we may check out the facts for ourselves but still remain puzzled about the events. It is when we meet with Jesus in a personal way that we begin to understand and see the truth. It is when he calls us by name as he called Mary that we begin to see the truth and understand it. It is when you get that nagging feeling that you should do something for God, when the compulsion is so great that you are unable to not do it. That is when God calls you by name and with your acceptance comes that wonderful feeling of peace, which affirms that you have made the right decision.
A favourite hymn of Methodists, And Can It Be, is a statement by Charles Wesley about what he believed Salvation to be. He was astounded that an immortal God, who loved him so much, could come to earth to save him and to release him from the grips of sin. His spirit had been imprisoned for a long time, bound up in sin. But then he suddenly saw and understood what Jesus meant, he understood what the resurrection was all about.
He awoke his dungeon of sin suddenly flamed with light. His chains of sin, which had kept him captive, suddenly fell off, his heart was free he rose went forth and followed Jesus.
This morning, tomorrow, next week, next month or next year, Jesus will continue to call to people by name. We have seen the proof and realised the reality of his resurrection and of his calling. Through his resurrection he is now asking all of us to enter into a new relationship with Him and to respond to His invitation. Through love he came to earth, love that was for you and for me. What will your response be?
