AS THE PASTOR PONDERS. . .
22 Then they brought Jesus to the place called
16:1 When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb.
3 They had been saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone
for us from the entrance to the tomb?" 4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
6 But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of
The three days known as the Triduum, consisting of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, all had darkness and storminess abounding as our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, spent his last supper with the disciples, prayed in the garden, was arrested, tried and convicted, flogged, crucified, died, and was laid in a tomb— his body left in silence by those who stayed with him until the end. Darkness and storminess were certain to be the emotions felt by those closest to Jesus, because they were losing a friend, a teacher, and mostly importantly their Lord. And while we remember the people who stood by Jesus during this stormy period, what about those silent bystanders who went through the darkest time of their lives alone and in hiding? What about the one called Peter—the great disciple who made a bold profession of faith in recognizing Jesus as the Messiah? We know from the gospel accounts that Peter was the one who attempted to be near Jesus as He went through the torment and humiliation of a trial. We know that Peter stood outside in the courtyard while Jesus was put to the test by the Sanhedrin and denied knowing Jesus three times. While we like to think we would be like the followers who made public their connection to Jesus, standing beneath the cross, watching and waiting— aren’t we more like the ones who fall away—cowering in the shadows, looking out for ourselves? Are we not more like the disciples who give into the fear that dark and stormy nights sometimes provide? Sure we are. However, the Good News out of all of this is that the dark and stormy nights of those three days ended when two women stepped out in the midst of their sorrow to take care of their Lord’s body, going to the tomb to finish the process of burial for Jesus. The Good News for the whole world came when two women heard the words that the One for whom they went looking was no longer there----that Jesus was raised from the dead!!
And with these words we have reason to rejoice this Easter season, because we have the knowledge that even though our lives may be filled with dark and stormy nights—especially when we fail God by denying we even know Jesus — even then— we are raised to new life because of what God did for us that first Easter Sunday. We have cause to have hope even in the midst of our sinful existence because God’s Son loved us enough to die on the cross and take away the fear of death and the powerful hold that sin had over us. Our dark and stormy nights are made bright and full of joy. Our sorrow and despair are turned to peace and serenity. Our fear is turned into confidence in the powerful, loving, merciful, almighty, and life-saving God we serve. This Easter Season—when you find yourselves in the midst of dark and stormy nights— remember that you are not alone—remember that you are secure in the arms of your Father—remember that our Lord, Savior, and Brother Jesus walks with us in our struggles—remember that God’s Holy Spirit directs us and guides us toward a path of light and awesome wonder. Remember that you are loved— no matter how dark and stormy you life seems—you are loved in God’s resurrection love. Peace be with you.
Your Brother in Christ,
Pastor John
