Eastering Faith Part 3

 

Let’s turn to a third translation of Matthew 28:1-8.  Before we read, take a deep breath and slowly let it out.  Breathe in the One who longs to “easter” your life with good news ~ that may not instantly and immediately make everything better.  Remember, Caesar was still in power when the sunset on the first Easter evening.  Remember, Caesar stayed in power as the disciples went forth sharing Good News, as Paul wrote letters, as the early church sought to live the Eastering truth that in Christ there is neither male nor female, Gentile nor Jew, slave nor free.  Paul said that centuries ago and we still struggle to live this truth in the church today!  Breathe in and out…and slowly savor the Easter narrative a third time from the Message translation:

 

After the Sabbath, as the first light of the new week dawned, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to keep vigil at the tomb. Suddenly the earth reeled and rocked under their feet as God’s angel came down from heaven, came right up to where they were standing. He rolled back the stone and then sat on it. Shafts of lightning blazed from him. His garments shimmered snow-white. The guards at the tomb were scared to death. They were so frightened, they couldn’t move.

The angel spoke to the women: “There is nothing to fear here. I know you’re looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised, just as he said. Come and look at the place where he was placed.

“Now, get on your way quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He is risen from the dead. He is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.’ That’s the message.”

 The women, deep in wonder and full of joy, lost no time in leaving the tomb. They ran to tell the disciples. Then Jesus met them, stopping them in their tracks. “Good morning!” he said. They fell to their knees, embraced his feet, and worshiped him. Jesus said, “You’re holding on to me for dear life! Don’t be frightened like that. Go tell my brothers that they are to go to Galilee, and that I’ll meet them there.”

 

What stood out for you today in the words above?  Where has your experience and life found being an Easter person too demanding and difficult, especially today?  I wonder what the disciples first thought of the women’s testimony?  Did they tarry in Jerusalem to ponder if they should leave, listing the pros and cons?  Or did they race out of there to Galilee once they heard that Jesus was going to meet them there at a secret location destination?  How do I respond when I sense God is nudging me?  Does Jesus have to conform and contort to my way (which is to say my control?).  Can I let Jesus be Jesus ~ which means I will be surprised and shocked and I don’t have it all figured out?  Where are there faith-quakes happening right now?  What does the word, “faith-quake” evoke or provoke for you?  How might that be how God is doing a new thing?  Note that everything was definitely not neat and tidy after the first Easter and I dare say it has never been that way in the church!  Eastering faith is confusing and contradictory and challenging and joyful and playful and prayerful and so much more.  Notice and name what is stirring within you as we let the Easter story gospel (by with I mean write) the story we are telling ourselves and the world in these days.  Amen.