St. Mark 16:1-8
Dearly beloved,
On this day the church gathers in festal procession to sing,
to chant its alleluias, to pull out the white paraments. We gather around
the altar with great joy, for a most wonderful victory has been attained by
our Lord and Savior. St. Peter tells us that “we have the prophetic word
made more sure. You will do well to pay attention to this as a lamp shining
in a dark place until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your
hearts”(2 Peter 1:19). St. Mark’s gospel is proclaimed and preached today
as that prophetic light that in fact dispels the spiritual darkness of this
world. This is why we gather on this most festive of occasions.
St. Mark’s gospel is different in a number of respects, but especially in
the resurrection account. We get a different aspect to what was taking
place at the empty tomb so very early in the morning. Mary Magdalene, Mary
the mother of James, and Salome went to the tomb to anoint Christ’s body
with spices. They were at the tomb with the rising of the sun. There was
a problem…the stone at the entrance to the tomb had been rolled away. The
tomb was open. They were greatly afraid. The wondered in fear and
amazement at the open tomb.
Despite their fear, they entered the tomb. Someone with the appearance of a
young man in extremely white robes was sitting on the right side of the
place where Jesus had been placed. The young man spoke to them and made a
significant statement concerning Jesus. “You seek Jesus of Nazareth who was
crucified.” Jesus was forever to be known as the crucified. But then comes
the stunning announcement, “He is not here. He has risen.” This
announcement stirs up an interesting reaction in the women. It is a
different reaction than we would expect from people who had been told of all
this beforehand.
For example, in St. Matthew 16 we are told that “Jesus began to show His
disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the
elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be
raised”(St. Matthew 16:21). It is reported on several occasions that Jesus
announces His pending suffering, death, and resurrection. But, you see, the
disciples were afraid. They locked themselves in a room for fear of the
Jewish authorities. They thought they were next. This is not what one
would expect on the day of Christ’s resurrection. We would expect joy.
The same can be said of the women at the tomb. They, too, had heard of
Christ’s resurrection. But when the young man preaches from the tomb that
Jesus Christ had risen from the dead the women are filled with fear and
trembling. They are so overcome by this that they run out of the tomb. This
is not what you would expect. What is more, the empty tomb in Mark ends
with this strange exclamation: “And they went out and fled from the tomb,
for trembling and astonishment had overcome them and they told no one
because of their great fear.”
This is not what we would expect. Mark and the Holy Spirit are trying to
teach the church something in the midst of the resurrection narrative. The
victory is won, to be sure. Jesus defeated death and the grave. He put
Hell in its proper place. But God’s people who are still living and
breathing in this world will still battle the flesh. The victory is won,
but Christians in this world are still termed the “Church Militant.” Here
there is a battle. The Feast of the Resurrection is not the stopping point
for us here. Its only the beginning.
Likewise, Holy Baptism is not the end of your Christian road, nor is
confirmation. These things are only the beginning. Jesus died for your
sins and rose from the dead, but you will still face spiritual battles. We
still face conflict. The women at the empty tomb faced inner conflict that
caused them to be afraid. Picture the full scene of events: the disciples
have walled themselves up in a locked room in fear. The women at the tomb
run and because of fear tell no one of the preaching they have just heard
from the young man. Then two disciples are walking on the road to Emmaus,
their hearts filled with longing and despair because they have lost their
Lord.
Whatever happened to listening to Jesus’ prophesy that this had to take
place but that He would rise again? Didn’t they hear the preaching? But are
we any different? The preaching of the gospel is a lamp that shines in the
darkness. It dispels the darkness. The problem that Christians face in this
world is that we dwell in a dark world. The spiritual darkness that is
around us is always threatening to snuff out the light of the gospel. This,
too, is not what we would expect. We would like to think that once we have
been baptized, then all will go well all the time. We would like to think
that once we are confirmed that we have this permanent spot in heaven.
But we must be careful, and followers of Jesus on the day of the
resurrection are an example of us. Jesus had told the disciples beforehand
that they were to meet Him in Galilee. Why? Because Jesus knew this would
happen. He was going to have to give them peace and strength. The women
from the tomb did eventually go and tell the disciples what they had seen,
but it took a little time for them to come to grips with everything. You
are no different than the women at tomb. You are no different from the
disciples locked away in a room. Jesus knows that He needs to strengthen
you. He needs to give you His forgiveness. You need the darkness dispelled
from around you.
So, it is fitting that the epistle reading from St. Paul speaks concerning
preaching, “Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you
believed”(1 Corinthians 15:11). The Corinthians believed because they were
hearing the preaching of the gospel. The lamp that shined in the preaching
of the gospel dispelled the spiritual darkness in and amongst the
Corinthians. So it is with you today.
Christ has risen and has defeated sin, death, hell, and everlasting
condemnation. The power of His cross is poured into Holy Baptism, the
preaching of the Gospel, the Lord’s Supper and Holy Absolution. These gifts
are given by Jesus as His way of coming to you to strengthen and forgive
you. The church’s life in this world, then, is to gather together in a room
and have Jesus come to us. This is clearly evident by Jesus’ interaction
with those Emmaus disciples who were in anguish. They gather together in a
home and Jesus has the Lord’s Supper with them and their eyes of faith are
opened, the see Jesus and are overjoyed.
Your Easter jubilation should therefore continue around this altar and
pulpit. The fruits of Christ’s redemption have been given to you. The
darkness is dispelled…the morning dawns…the light shines in your midst and
in your lives. Your sins have been washed away, and you are loved by Jesus
Christ who has defeated the evil foe. The Christian life is filled with
things that we don’t expect, and for us they are blessedness, peace,
holiness, forgiveness, and divine love. So, let us gather around the altar
in this room and be strengthened through Christ’s coming to us in the holy
sacrament. Amen.
--
Rev. Chad Kendall
www.frchadius.blogspot.com
Trinity Lutheran Church
Lowell, Indiana
www.trinitylowell.org
