Son-Rise

Son Rise

Jesus was DEAD – Really dead

None of his followers expected it. They had just come to fully realize that Jesus was the messiah.

They never had any power they just dreamed of it. Jesus was the glue that held the group together and who knows what will happen now. It started so simply. Jesus just had a way of explaining God that just make you know he was special.

The 12 had been with him the longest, and the idea of one of them betraying the teacher had been unthinkable. The crowds had grown but, lately almost disappeared as his tone had changed and he hardly did any miracles anymore.

It was a week of surprises. It started on a high and the suddenly it seemed like the world had ended.

Just a week ago Jesus had ridden into Jerusalem on a donkey. The crowds had gathered and shouted Hosanna, Blessed is he who comes n the name of the Lord.

It was such a great day. Then just a few nights ago. Jesus was arrested and it was a horrible sight. The people came out for the trial, Jewish authorities ask Pilot to sentence Jesus to death and when, he found no guilt the crowd shouted crucify him.

It was a terrible scene. The women in our scripture this morning were witnesses to Jesus crucifixion. They were there when he died, they heard the words. They weren’t there for a show. They were there as family, holding a vigil for there for their loved one. What else could they do except to be close so Jesus could hear their cries?

They watched as the body was removed and wrapped in a linen cloth. Every thing had happened so quickly. It was the day of preparation for the Passover and they had to be inside before sundown.

The events of that day were horrible and the images and sounds would not leave their minds. Their hearts ached with grief.

The disciples were holding up (hiding) some place in town. The observed the Sabbath and did not travel, probably a combination of fear of the mob and a fear of God.

How could God let this happen?

It probably seemed like the Sabbath would never end. The Sabbath starts at sundown on Friday and ends at sundown on Saturday.

The women had made a list of sorts. Proper care had not been given to Jesus body. They would go and get the items to wash and prepare the body. When the Sabbath ended on Saturday night they went out and purchased the materials needed and then made the plans to head outside the city at day break.

It wasn’t until they were will on their way the next morning that one of them had a thought. Who will roll away the stone?

No one thought of that, they should have insisted that some of the men come along. All they could do is go and try. They really just wanted to be as close as possible to mourn their loss and express their pain. The anointing of the body was a customary act of love and devotion. It wasn’t that it should be done…it must be done so they could have closure. In a way it was an act of worship.

By the time they reached the garden it is light enough that they can see the entrance of the tomb.

Look, are my eyes deceiving me? It looks like the stone is rolled away!

I imagine that the three speed up their pace, perhaps even run to the entrance, but, I doubt that they were feeling Joy, I suspect the depression and pain quickly turned to fear – the obvious questions:

Who, When, Why?

Did the Romans do this? Did some robbers or maybe the Jewish authorities?

The scripture says they entered the tomb. And there was a young man there. Other portions of scripture tell us he is an angel. Something about the man is alarming to the ladies, it could be the surprise of him being in there, perhaps there was something more about his appearance, but Mark does not give us any additional guesses.

He has a message, "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ’He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ "

The message includes a special knowledge of who they are looking for. Jesus the Nazarene, that he was crucified. Both subjects are facts. Then the new information starts.

He has risen! He is not here.

Do you think that they could connect the words of the man with anything they could actually understand?