Easter - He is risen indeed!

Easter

He is risen indeed!

‘After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for the angel of the Lord came down from heaven and going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. …  The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples; ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

‘So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly, Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Matthew 28.1-2, 5-10

The men had run away. But the two Marys had remained to witness Jesus’ death on the cross and his burial in the tomb. Now their devotion was rewarded by being the first to hear the good news of the Risen Lord and to encounter him. As we follow their story, with them we are urged to rejoice, we are encouraged to believe, we are inspired to share.

This is the culmination of the Gospel story. Without the resurrection the birth, the baptism, the message, even the cross have no meaning unless we meet Jesus Christ as the Risen Lord. It is the greatest of good news to live in the joy of his presence from which nothing can separate us anymore. Jesus greets both Marys with a word that, in original, is more than a greeting but an invitation to rejoice.

Believing in the resurrection is not just acknowledging that a man who suffered the most appalling death has been raised to life; it is much more than that. This is the fulfilment God’s eternal plan. All that Jesus taught his disciples, all the discourses with the people he met, all the healing and inspiration to repent is fulfilled in this one miraculous act. Ever since and to this day, in this commission we have new life, new work, a new lifestyle.

Finally, we are not to keep this to ourselves. Jesus instruction, given first to the women, is to share the message; to the disciples, to the world. This news is so exciting, so wonderful, so profound that we cannot keep it to ourselves. We are impelled to proclaim by the joy we have found, and our encouragement must be to pass on his words to ‘Go and tell.’

Christ the Lord is risen today; Alleluia!
All creation joins to say: Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high; Alleluia!
Sing, you heavens; let earth, reply: Alleluia!

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won; Alleluia!
Vain the stone, the watch, the seal; Alleluia!
Christ has burst the gates of hell: Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King;              Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now your sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save; Alleluia!
Where's your victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!

King of Glory!  Soul of bliss! Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
You to know, your power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing, and thus to love: Alleluia!

Charles Wesley (1707-88)

He is risen indeed. Hallelujah!

The Methodist Church provides worship and devotional resources at www.methodist.org.uk