THAT’S ME AT THE EMPTY TOMB, FINDING MY RELIGION
Luke 24:1-12
The Resurrection of Our Lord, Easter Day, Year C
Analysis by Chris Neumann
1But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. 2They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3but when they went in, they did not find the body. 4While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. 5The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. 6Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’ 8Then they remembered his words, 9and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. 10Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. 11But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.
From Wikimedia Commons
“What if the church started taking Easter as seriously as we should, as something that demands our effort so that others can share in its wonder?”
DIAGNOSIS: It’s the end of the world as we know it
Step 1: Initial Diagnosis (External Problem): Bad to worse
That entire Saturday must have been the complete antithesis of Sabbath, no? On one hand overwhelmed by the sadness that accompanies the death of a loved one – especially this particular loved one. Yet on the other hand, as good Jews, there is a complete inability to do anything of consequence to either kick start the grieving process or distract yourself from the surreal events of the prior day.
Early birds or not, these women probably could not wait to spread their wings and get out of the house early on the first day of the week to do what we all do at funerals and visitations. To gain a sense of closure. To pay respects to the beloved deceased. To support each other in difficult times of loss.
Only when they finally arrive, there’s no body. All sorts of confusion amplified by the sudden appearance of two bright, shiny guys that about scare the poor women to death. The messengers from God that visited Zechariah and Mary said not to be afraid. Didn’t hear that reassuring greeting from these guys though.
Step 2: Advanced Diagnosis (Internal Problem): I’m supposed to believe that?
As the women piece together the clues given at graveside – you’re looking in the wrong place, he is risen as he told you – they present this revelation to the disciples. Only to have the confusion and doubt creep right back in when they get laughed off.
In all fairness, of course their announcement seemed like an idle tale! Are you kidding me? We’ve all been to the funeral homes. Hands up if you’ve ever had someone swing by your house ahead of time to tell you not to bother going…Hey, you’re not going to believe this! Went to funeral home just now. Place was empty. Just a couple of spiffed-up, extravagantly dressed employees at the door that told me the deceased was gone. Not just gone, but risen and alive again! Umm, yeah – hasn’t happened to me either. Probably not going to be believing that one.
Dead people are dead.
But what to believe and where to look? Jesus did tell them a few times all this would happen, but seriously, the other disciples might have the right of it. Risen? The nagging thoughts of doubt and disappointment that percolated all Saturday afternoon are now boiling. Jesus was supposed to be THE savior. Then all of a sudden, he’s actually the one hanging from a cross. Being taken down from it, dead as dead can be. And now alive again? Good grief. Can this really be trusted? And where does one go about finding him?
Step 3: Final Diagnosis (Ultimate Problem): What’s in it for me?
One of two things must be true at this point. Jesus is either alive and back among the living, or those characters at the graveside really were pitching an idle tale.
Suppose the former is actually accurate. He’s alive. What exactly does that mean for those first observers? What’s in it for them? Take Peter. Upon looking in the empty tomb, he was amazed or wondering depending on your translation. Look, if I’m Peter at this point, what I’m wondering about deep down is if Jesus is back from the dead to unleash some holy hell on me. Not exactly like we left each other in the best of places the last time we saw each other. Am I really looking forward to seeing him? I know exactly what I should have coming to me.
And if Jesus isn’t really alive? Well, then I’m in no different a place than I was before he died. The aches, pains, grey hair, and toils of this life will continue to mount until it’s my turn to end up in grave. Another of God’s promises comes to mind – dust you are, and to dust you shall return.
PROGNOSIS: And I feel fine
Step 4: Initial Prognosis (Ultimate Solution): It really is good. And it’s something new!
I never had the privilege of meeting Ed Schroeder, but I can’t help but think about him right now.
There is a three second clip of Ed sitting in a sanctuary during the intro to some of the Crossings’ video series offerings. Here’s what Ed says, “It really is good. And it’s something new!” Yes, Ed is speaking about the Crossings’ methodology, but he might as well be talking about Easter. God tries something new on Easter. Radically new. Enough with the burnt offerings, the judges, the kings, the prophets, and the exiles. Enough with the temple system too. He’s going to make this work his way. He’s going to crush his only boy with pain to atone for us knuckleheads that he curiously loves once and for all. And yes, we heard the news right – he also raised him up from the dead to a brand spanking new life. What’s more, he’s given this risen son of his the final say on us. The first born of the dead in the ultimate trailer for the upcoming new creation and he wants us in the cast.
New without question. And this really is good! Unspeakably good. Because Christ used the blood he shed not to extract vengeance, but to redeem us. To buy us so that we may live in his kingdom in everlasting righteousness. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. New approach. New creation. New life. That’s what’s in this for us.
Step 5: Advanced Prognosis (Internal Solution): Keep believing, keep believing
With that fresh in mind, along with Peter, I’m no longer wondering if Jesus is going to put the screws to me. With the women at the tomb, I no longer have any reason to be terrified. Instead, I’m wondering why on earth God loves me the way he does. Perplexed only because he is giving me the exact opposite of what I deserve.
Not only is he going to look the other way when it comes to my growing tally of errors, including rejecting him and doubting him, but he is proving without a shadow of a doubt that his promises can be trusted. That his kingdom is infinitely better than I could ever begin to imagine. And he has a mansion there with my name on the mailbox. To die really is to gain. Go figure. Maybe this is the reason for the echo proclaimed with such gusto throughout the Easter season. Christ is risen…He is risen indeed, Alleluia! Have to repeat it in order for the sheer absurdity of it all to sink in.
Step 6: Final Prognosis (External Solution): A vigorous tale
Earth day falls on the first Tuesday of the Easter season this year. It first took place in 1970 amidst war and environmental disasters, but with stunning and relatively recent photos from space still lingering in consciousness. Humanity suddenly with a wakeup call, seeing Earth as the incredible beauty that it is. Working together intentionally, putting forth a little effort to not let this thing go to waste.
What if the church started taking Easter as seriously as we should, as something that demands our effort so that others can share in its wonder? What would happen if we looked at the breathtaking story of a new creation thanks to a dead man walking as the magnificent gift and unequivocal beauty it is?
Let’s find out. After all, Christ made us priests to his God and Father. Go tell the story with confidence. We have nothing to lose and someone else has everything to gain. One more time before we head out to shine:
Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
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