A Homily for Easter 2020

A Homily for Easter 2020

Psalm 118.1-2; 14-24

Acts 10.34-43

Colossians 3.1-4

John 20.1-18

Christos anesti; alithos anesti! Christ is risen; He has risen indeed!

But, to borrow from the guy who saw the double rainbow,  what does it mean? What does that mean for our lives? What does that mean for our understanding of who God is and what he is up to in this world? What does it  mean for how we ought to live today and everyday?

One of the surprising themes that unites our Scripture lessons for this Easter is the fact that there was so much confusion, so much misunderstanding surrounded Jesus’ death and resurrection. If we have been paying attention to all of our readings this week, they are all clothed with deep misunderstandings.

Our Psalm 118 reading reminds us that the builders rejected the cornerstone (118.22). That is, those that were called to build up the people of God, those who were called to ready the people for the Messiah that was to bring salvation not only to Israel but also to the whole world, they did not recognize Jesus as the King. Instead, they rejected him; they concluded with confidence that He spoke blasphemy when He said He was the Son of God. Instead, the builders, those who knew the Scriptures and sought to follow God,  asked for Jesus to be crucified. When Pilate asked, “Shall I crucify your King?, they replied, “We have no king but Caesar!” (John 19.15-16). Jesus did not fit their expectations. Jesus did not give them what they thought they needed. 

Peter, in his sermon in Acts 10 concludes confidently that “all the prophets bear witness to Jesus, that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name” (Acts 10.43). But it is easy to forget that this was not their initial response to the news of the resurrection. Acts 1-12 recounts that the disciples of Jesus were rather hesitant to welcome non-Jews into the family of God. It took visions, persecution, and special acts of the Spirit to help the people of God understand the implications of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

Paul writes a letter to the Colossians precisely because they do not understand the implications of the resurrection of Jesus Christ for their lives. He writes because they have resorted to, as he calls it, “self-made religion” (Col 2.23). How quickly they had forgotten that they had been delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of the Beloved Son (Col 1.13). How quickly they had turned backed to relying upon themselves, their own efforts and good deeds to please God and secure a place in His family. How quickly they had concluded that Jesus did not give them what they needed. And so Paul writes, “as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord--so walk in him” (Col 2.6). 

Our Gospel reading from John 20 highlights this theme of misunderstanding as well. Mary Magdalene sees an empty tomb, and what is her response? He is risen indeed? No! Instead she says, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb and we do not know where they have laid him” (John 20.2). When John and Peter got to the tomb, the text says that “they yet did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead” (John 20.9). 

In a vicarious  manner, our Scripture lessons for this Easter send us a warning. Don’t let the familiarity with the Easter message  lull us into thinking we understand. Together with Mary Magdalene, Peter, John, and the Colossians, we are encouraged to ponder afresh what the resurrection means for our lives, how we should now live in light of this news. 

The Apostle Paul offers some guidance here: “seek the things that are above” (Col 3.1). But what does that mean? What he means is to live now knowing that the true ruler of the world is not you, nor any powers or principalities of this, but rather Christ, “who is seated at the right hand of God”. What he means by this phrase takes some unpacking, and here we can get some clues from Jesus himself in John 20. 

Jesus speaks to Mary Magdalene in her confusion and distress: “I have not yet ascended to the Father, but go to my brothers and say to them ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God’” (John 20.17). The ascension of Jesus is the culmination of the work for which He was sent to do. That Jesus is now seated at the right hand of the Father means that He has accomplished the work he came to do. So when Paul says, “seek the things that are above”, when he says, “set your mind on things above”, he does not mean think about heaven all day. No, what he means is that Jesus has accomplished his work; He has been vindicated by the Father. When Jesus, just prior to his betrayal gathered with his disciples, he said that his pending death was not an accident. Rather, it was him offering himself as a sacrifice of atonement for our sins. The resurrection is the Father’s affirmation of the claim made by Jesus. It is the Father saying “Yes! I agree” to all that Jesus said and did. When Paul says to us, “seek the things above”, “set your minds on things that are above”, he is telling us: Jesus Christ has been vindicated! His work is done. He is the true ruler of all. All things have been placed under His feet. Jesus is Lord! So, just as you received Jesus Christ as Lord--so continue to walk in Him. 

It is a simple message to understand. But a very hard message to embrace. Like the builders that rejected the cornerstone because he didn’t seem to give them what they wanted or needed, we must ask ourselves--does Jesus give us what we need? 

The resurrection (and all the surrounds it; Jesus’ humiliation, betrayal, suffering, and death) are God’s way of saying--this is what you need. You need forgiveness of sins; you need God’s intervention in your life; your rebellion and sin is this serious. There is no self-help that will help you; there is no technology or medicine that will intervene. Only the Lord of all can heal your sickness. 

And He has--though Jesus. Your life is now hidden with Christ in God.