EASTER 2015

Dearly beloved in Christ, once again we stand before the open tomb to acknowledge the risen Lord and to celebrate his resurrection in Joy. Easter is the crown of all our festivals as we will not be followers of Jesus if Jesus was a dead God.

There are two acts that take place at the resurrection

The visitors to the tomb.

The first visitor to the tomb of Jesus is Mary of Magdala. Early on the first day while it was dark she goes to the tomb. She sees the tomb stone rolled away and comes to the conclusion that the body of Jesus is stolen. She takes the news to the disciples.

She expected a close tomb but found it open. She expected a stone in the entrance but found it roled back. She had still not come to faith. She was still in the dark. Mary ran away from the tomb. The two disciples run to the tomb. Both groups are in confusion.

Peter and the disciple Jesus loved came running to the tomb.

  

The disciples whom Jesus loved came first and looked in. Peter cam afterwards and went into the tomb and observed. They both saw the grave clothes. The beloved disciples saw and believed.

We need to make note of the three different ways these disciples saw. The way Peter and the beloved disciple sees reveal their different perceptions.

When the beloved disciple looked in and saw the grave clothes 20:5. Here he sees. The word used here is for physical sight (blepo). The normal power to see.

Peter also came and saw (theoreo) 20:6. The word used here is observed. This is a sight of a spectator. One who views intently. It had no faith response. (the open tomb at the entrance)

What the beloved disciple saw (orao) is the third. This is the spiritual insight of faith. To see with the mind.

Here too what the beloved disciple believed is that the body was not there.

V9 tells us that they still did not understand that Jesus had to rise from the dead.

The appearance of Jesus

First Jesus appears to a crying Mary Magdalene. Mary is still in the dark, she is weeping. Weeping is a sign of unbelief.

It is only when Jesus calls Mary by name, as the good shepherd does that she realizes Jesus.

The risen Lord is recognized through personal relationships and through the word.

Mary is looking for a historical Jesus.  A physical Jesus. She wants to re-establish her relationship with him. But Jesus had already entered another state of existence. He says do not cling to me v17.

Jesus has risen from the day. She has recognized him through his word. Now she needs to start a new relationship with him. Having recognized him, she becomes the first apostle to announce the good news of Easter.

New relationships with Jesus requires obedience and sharing the joy of that relationship with others.

The second visit of Jesus is to the disciples. Jesus appears in their midst. His visit brings to their midst his presence. His presence brings peace they are overjoyed.

People of God. The resurrection of Jesus is the story of the church. The community of believers. The empty tomb is a reminder of how we perceive Jesus. With normal sight, with observation and with spiritual insight.

Normal physical sight stops at the entrance of Jesus. It doesn’t take us into a deep relationship with the risen Lord. MM initial experience at the grave was the same.

Sight that observes that looks intently is more of being a spectator all the days of our life. We come and go. There is no faith experience.

  

The third kind of seeing is what is important. Spiritual insight. This was sight that Mary Magdalene experienced when she saw Jesus. This is the sight that brought Joy to the disciples when Jesus stood in their midst. We see, believe, experience and then begin a new relationship with the risen Lord.

The risen Jesus reminds us for the beginning of a renewed relationship with Jesus. A relationship where Jesus stands at the center of our lives. We need to recognize the presence of Jesus in our midst.

For that we have to make room for him. Only when we recognize Jesus in our midst we can have relationship with fills us his peace and Joy.

When we are in such a relationship, the presence of Jesus, his joy and peace are too much to keep for ourselves. We are not asked to go from pillar to post searching for Jesus.

  

We are to go running all over sharing the good news that Jesus Christ the messiah is arisen. No more dead. His presence, peace and joy are available to all.

As we celebrate this joyful season of Easter and continue to live as an Easter people, let never forget that the cross will always remain the path to the open grave.

May God bless you all this day.