A Startling New Reality!
Mark 16: 1-8
Easter Sunday
Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ amen. The sermon text for Easter Sunday is the Gospel reading Mark 16. “And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” This was the reaction of the women who went to the tomb of Jesus on Easter morning. As we think about their reaction we have to ask the question, why? Here is the message that they heard from the angel. “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here.” Why were they so afraid after hearing the greatest message of all time?
Let me ask this question. What would cause more trembling and astonishment, to learn that someone close to you had just died, or to learn that a loved one has just come back to life? What would be more confusing, to hear about a death or a resurrection? We know what causes more pain. It is death. But what is more unexpected and in a sense unsettling? It would be hearing about a resurrection. To us it seems strange at first that people would respond with trembling and fear to the message of Easter. But if we really think about what the resurrection of Jesus really means we will see that it is a startling new reality for us.
These three women that went to Jesus’ tomb on Easter morning were also near the cross when He died. His death brought them great sorrow and disappointment. No doubt they found it almost impossible to believe that Jesus could be hated and killed by their leaders. But death itself likely didn’t startle them. They were familiar with death, with having loved ones die. In the ancient world, many died young, with an average life expectancy of not even forty years of age. People in those days saw the reality of death up close. Think about what these women came to do when they first encountered the angel that first Easter morning. They had come to put spices on the corpse of Jesus. To do this they would have to handle His dead body. That was common.
Today, we have the funeral home take care of such things to help us deal with the pain of death. But as hard as that is, death is not unexpected for us either. Especially when we get older. If we reach a certain age ourselves, we likely see many of our friends and family pass away. And so, even though we would like to avoid it, it does not surprise us to see death notices and obituary listings or to turn on the news and hear about sad, tragic ends of life. We also read in the Bible that death comes to all people because of sin. “The wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23). No, death is not a surprise.
Now let’s talk about resurrection. Not death, but resurrection is strange to us. Life coming out of death – having a dead loved one come back to life and walk on this earth in a human body, eat food and talk to people, as Jesus did. Now, that is startling! I have never seen it, and neither have you. After these women reported to the other disciples what they were told, the disciples couldn’t believe it either. Jesus had tried to tell them He would rise after death, but that message had not registered in their thinking. Therefore the angel reminded the women, “He is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” That’s why when Jesus did appear to the disciples, He demonstrated to all that it was really Him and that He really did rise bodily from the dead. Remember Thomas putting his hand in the wounds? We recall Jesus eating breakfast with the disciples on the shore. It really was Jesus. He really did come back to life!
The disciples likely didn’t realize right away the huge implication this would have on their lives. But later they would come to realize that this life-changing event would affect all of our lives. Consider what it means for you. Jesus’ resurrection means that all of your sin is forgiven. His resurrection proved that His death was sufficient to pay for all of your sin. Jesus’ resurrection means that you, too, will rise from the dead at the final resurrection, as Paul writes: “Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” Jesus’ resurrection means that everything about your life right now has changed. It is new. You have a certain hope based on a new reality that even death cannon disappoint. Every day right now is lived with the certainty that the Lord lives. He gives to you His love and grace. He helps you in your time of need. He blesses you with both temporal and eternal blessings. He comforts you in His Word. And He goes to prepare a place for you to live in all eternity.
When we think about what the women at the tomb experienced on that first Easter morning it can make us think of faithful Christians at a funeral. After all, these women went to prepare Jesus’ body for burial. Consider the comparison. At a funeral, the mourners gather at the church where the emotions of grief weigh heavy. Those closest to the person have made many preparations in only a few days. It has been a stressful time. After the casket is closed and they come into the sanctuary, their minds are on the one they lost and on how life must go on without their dear departed friend. But then, they hear the glorious message. It begins with words like those of Paul, who wrote, “We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Rom 6:4). It continues with songs like the Easter hymn “I know that my Redeemer Lives” (LSB 461). As the pastor proclaims the promises of Christ’s resurrection in his sermon, they begin to adjust to the new, amazing reality of death being defeated – for their loved one who died in the faith and for them.
Therefore, the new life that comes from the resurrection of Christ means that we approach everything, funerals included, in a new way. We don’t need to avoid the reality of death or Judgment Day for we know that Jesus has defeated death and has given us the crown of life. Jesus did rise from the dead, just as He said. His resurrection promises us new life, eternal life with God. The resurrection of Jesus means eternal victory and a never ending feast.
Remember what Isaiah said in our Old Testament reading. “On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of morrow, of aged wine well refined. And he will swallow up in this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”
By the power of the Holy Spirit, you know live a life of hope and peace because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. He will guard your hearts and minds unto life everlasting. Christ is risen. He has risen indeed. Alleluia! Amen.