EDITOR'S NOTE: In October 2017 I began a new venture as a synodically authorized minister at Faith Lutheran Church in Wolverton, Minn. The ride over the past 3 1/2 years has been an amazing journey of learning, growing and a deepening of my theological mind. This sermon took place on April 4, Easter Sunday, 2021. This was the second in-person/livestreamed service in more than a year after our church was shuttered because of the COVID pandemic. The first in-person/livestreamed service was on Good Friday, but there was no sermon.
This week's preaching text: Mark 16:1-8
The Resurrection of Jesus
16 When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Message:
So, I don't know about any of you, but that's not how I remember the Easter story ending from my Sunday school days.
"So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them and they said nothing to anyone for they were afraid."
Terror? ... And fright? ... And keeping silent on Easter? ... Where is the joy and the wonder? And Jesus walking out of that tomb to astounded disciples and followers?
This gospel today seems to be a surprisingly subdued response to a risen Christ doesn't it?
Well, yes, maybe it is. But then again maybe Mark's gospel, with his very unique approach to the Easter story, may be the most real approach of all of the gospels on this particular Easter. ... Especially on this Easter 2021, after a year in which we have not gathered together for worship in 54 weeks. ... In a year in which we've all endured too much pain. ... In a year in which we've all endured far too much isolation.
Yes, admittedly, this gospel seems like a very fitting year for an Easter story that deals not only with the Easter promise, but also disappointment. I know that that's probably a bit strange of a word to hear on Easter. ... Maybe not the typical word that we hear on an Easter Sunday when we gather in this church, with these beautiful flowers, and we unveil the cross. ... The word "disappointment."
But, Faith Family, we do have to remember that as faithful people we live our entire lives between the tension of Good Friday and the joy of Easter morning. ... The tension of Christ going to the cross on our behalf, and his miraculously divine rising from the grave. And there's no gospel that brings out that tension in the Easter story more so than the gospel of Mark.
And so, maybe, this year Mark gives us an opportunity to have an honest conversation about what discipleship really is like. ... Maybe Mark's Easter story gives us a chance to bear witness to the fact that being faithful means that we live in the spaces in between. ... The space in between hope and disappointment. ... The space in between silence and the proclamation of the Good News.
Faith Family, there's just no getting around the fact that Easter 2021 sounds and looks and feels different this year. Yes, we are absolutely joyful to be back together, but we also know that our congregation doesn't look the same this Easter Sunday. Some loved ones are not with us this year. ... Yes, we are hopeful at the news that vaccinations are rolling out across our nation, and yet we are cognizant of the rising numbers of COVID cases too. ... We are grateful that a fractious and divisive election is behind us, but we are so very aware that we have so much to learn about working together.
Yes, a very different gospel take on a very different kind of Easter.
Promise and disappointment. ... The space between Good Friday and Easter morning. ... That is what Mark's gospel story is all about today, Faith Family. It certainly would have been very easy for all of us to walk into this church today and forget all about the trials that we have shared this past year, and just revel in the joy of Easter morning. ... But that also wouldn't have been an honest reflection of where we are at today. ... And I believe that Mark's gospel honors that.
Faith Family ... we all know discipleship isn't easy. I know you already know that. You've all lived that. ... Just because we believe in a risen Christ, and that we too live in Jesus's resurrection, doesn't mean there won't be some storms along the way.
Mark's Easter story is an honest Easter story. ... Because sometimes as followers of Christ we are absolutely going to be amazed. And at other times as followers of Christ, we are absolutely going to be afraid. ... But Mark's gospel today tells us all of that is OK. Because Mark's Easter story also reminds us that no matter how we as Christ's followers enter this church today. ... No matter if we enter with hope, or with some level of disappointment. ... No matter if we enter with blindness, or with divine insight. ... No matter if we enter with terror or amazement. ... Regardless of how we feel and how we bear witness today. ... No matter what is happening around us in this community, or in our nation, or in the storms of our personal lives. ... No matter Jesus Christ is risen today! ... Jesus Christ is risen today! Hallelujah!
And that Faith Family ... is the Good News for this Easter Sunday 2021. ... Amen.
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