An Easter-ing Faith

 

For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. ⁵ But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here, for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.”  Matthew 28:4-7

 

The guards became like dead men…what a delicious irony.  The guards were placed and put there by Pilot to guard the dead body of Jesus.  Not exactly a high-profile assignment.  I wonder if the guards grumbled and mumbled to themselves as they stood there?  Hold the Bible verse close and you can hear them saying, “Welp, this should make my mom proud!  ‘What did you do today, son?’ she will ask. “Oh, stood outside a tomb making sure nothing happened to a dead body!’  Just living the dream!”  Or maybe the guards were excited to get such an easy assignment.  Maybe they fell asleep during the night, after all there was a stone in front of the tomb, and if someone came for the body they would hear that noise.

 

Resurrection happens when the powers that be think they have the status quo protected/ contained and confined.

 

Easter-ing faith happens while no one is looking or giving you a ‘like’ on social.  Maybe even when you are not looking!

 

New life, gospel, happens in the stone-cold darkness that suddenly surprises everyone.

 

There are moments I wake up and realize something has changed right before my eyes, but I didn’t notice it!  This could be from the mundane (gray hairs that now congregate having an unwelcome party in my hair) to moments around the church that far exceed my planning and preparation and expectations.  Resurrection, new life, and Easter-ing faith will always surprise us.

 

How can you be surprised each day?  This is meant to be an odd question.  To be sure this isn’t about preparation, but perception.  You cannot “plan” to be surprised, rather the very definition says we won’t expect the moment, but will receive it.  Yet, the cultural script is just keep on keeping on…nothing new to see here…just keep your head down because things aren’t getting better.  Despair tells you that you already know the ending of the story ~ and it isn’t great.  Easter-ing faith disrupts that narrative. 

 

Are you willing to be open and curious and practice a way of life that not only notes/names the Easters happening today…but might be willing to participate in some as well?  May that question move in your hearts and cause you to live differently today.  Amen.