This Sunday is Easter Sunday

Scripture Reading: John 20:1-8. “Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. ² So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” ³ Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. ⁴ The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. ⁵ He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. ⁶ Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, ⁷ and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. ⁸ Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed.

One thing that struck me in this week’s reading in this section of John is that the first disciple to reach Jesus’ tomb did not go in. But, Peter, who ran up from behind ran past and directly into the tomb. For his questioning faith to be satisfied, Peter had to see that the tomb was empty. But, the joy of the empty tomb could not come if it had not been for death. We have to confront death before we can experience life.

Before we rush to the hope of the resurrection, we need to take time and recognize the necessity of suffering and death. If Jesus had not suffered and died for us, we would be lost. If we do not suffer within ourselves and die to the sins we commit, we will not be resurrected to new spiritual life in God through Jesus Christ.

Death must be confronted. Sin must be met with mourning. Yet, just when we are ready to rush into the tomb, we find it empty. We find that Jesus Christ is risen and so are we. In our death, we find resurrection and power through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God bless you,

Pastor Don

According to the Common Lectionary, this week’s readings are: John 20:1-18, Lk 24:1-12, Acts 10:34-43; Ps 118:1-2,14-24, and 1 Cor 15:19-26