RESURRECTION OF THE LORD

Suggested Readings:

Acts 10:34-43

Colossians 3:1-4

John 20:1-18

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The stone is rolled away by the hand of God. The still small voice whispers, “Son, it’s time to rise.” Jesus’ eyes flutter open. He struggles against the grave clothes that envelop him. As he slowly sits, he works off the grave clothes and lays them aside. The napkin that covered his face he lays aside by itself. The attempt to smother the light of the world has failed. As John penned in the opening words of the gospel, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it” (John 1:5)

Bit by bit, more of the evidence of the empty tomb is discovered. Mary sees the stone; the other disciple sees the linen cloths but is unwilling to enter the tomb. Peter rushes into the tomb and notices the head covering lying by itself. The detailed description of the burial clothes is important to establish a contrast between the raising of Lazarus and the resurrection of Jesus. When Lazarus came from the tomb he was still bound by the wrappings of death. When Jesus left the tomb, he left behind all the detritus of death. Death was conquered.

The disciple identified as “the one whom Jesus loved” believed that Jesus had overcome death but did not fully understand the full scope of the resurrection. There is much more to the story than an empty tomb.

In her despair Mary dared to look into the tomb. She saw two angels sitting where the head and feet of Jesus had lain. The angels did not announce the resurrection, the emphasis is on Mary’s grief. Anguished tears keep Mary from recognizing Jesus when he is standing in front of her. Jesus’ questions reinforce the drama of mistaken identity. Whom are you looking for? echoes the question he asked his first disciples (1:38). The ministries of the incarnate, earthly Jesus and the resurrected Jesus begin the same way.

“Mary!” Her name spoken the familiar voice of love and grace transforms abject grief into tumultuous joy! Jesus is alive! She wants to hold onto him, but he has not yet ascended to the Father. Jesus commissions Mary to share the news of the resurrection with the disciples, which she does with great excitement, “I have seen the Lord!”

Mary shares Jesus’ words making it clear that his ascent and return to the Father enables the disciples to share fully in Jesus’ relationship with God. What is true of Jesus’ relationship with God (“my Father,” “my God”) is now true of the disciples’ relationship with God (“your Father,” “your God”). Those who believe have become “children of God.” (John 1:12)

The empty tomb did not convince Mary or the two disciples that Jesus was alive. When Jesus spoke her name, when he appeared to the disciples, then they were convinced. The reality of the resurrection is found in changed lives, reconstituted priorities, and the unswerving commitment to love God totally and our neighbors as ourselves.