P.S. There’s More: From Fear to Love

Mark 16:1-8

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Jesus. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 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. 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.” 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.

Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! Amen!

If you’re familiar with worship on Easter — that litany doesn’t come as a surprise to you. In fact, you wait for it; hope for it, expect it. Same goes for the story we just heard. No surprise there either. So I’ve got a plan — that might surprise you. A retelling if you will of what I imagine could be a musical rendering of Mark’s version of Jesus’ resurrection. Take a listen. The first portion is about one minute long. 

That’s the beginning of Igor Stravinky’s ballet score called, “The Rite of Spring.” It debuted in Paris in May of 1913. It starts with the sound of a high-pitched bassoon — (a sound not heard before) and it ended in a brawl. 

You may know the story. There are varying opinions about why a riot ensued during and following the performance but there is also agreement that the unexpected rhythms and dissonance of the music contributed to any angst already in the room. 

The chaos of what people heard and saw created internal dis-ease. It was a piece that changed music going forward. It’s opening performance remains one of the most scandalous premieres in history. The audience became so loud, so agitated — yelling and throwing things that the dancers weren’t able to hear their cues from the orchestra. After 40 minutes of cacophony and discord this is how the piece ends.

Oof. Just 30 seconds of that and my heart rate is up. 

I’m curious… does today’s Easter story create in you a similar dis-ease? Does it leave you feeling unsettled at all? 

 It’s the story we expect to hear today; it’s the story we need to hear but did you notice what’s missing? Mark’s version of what happens after Jesus is crucified, dead and buried leaves out the one important detail that might be just what someone needs to believe the story is true. There is no Jesus. 

Oof. The sound of that makes my heart rate go up.

And maybe that’s why we don’t only tell Mark’s version of Easter. Its ending can leave you feeling so… unfulfilled, unsettled. We have four gospels in the bible and each writer tells the story a little differently. Unique to Mark’s version — there is no appearance of the resurrected Jesus. 

In every other gospel — we at least get a glimpse of him. Put yourself in this story as one of Jesus’ disciples and according to John’s gospel you might miss him, thinking he’s a gardener. According to Luke, you might be confused but Jesus is the stranger who walks alongside you. In Matthew, the resurrected Jesus is obvious: he meets you right where you are and blesses you. These stories offer hope, comfort, clarity.

But the story according to Mark? No Jesus. Not even a glimpse. Oof.

How does a story about the truth of who Jesus is not include an encounter with the risen Christ? 

Today’s story ends with the women running from the empty tomb in fear and silence, saying nothing to anyone. That’s it. Unsettling to say the least — like dissonant notes of a musical score or the ultimate cliffhanger episode that teases you into the desire to know more, to stick with the story to discover what’s next.

And maybe that’s the genius of Mark’s gospel. Maybe the great surprise of Easter is that we don’t get an ending. The great surprise of Easter is that Jesus’ resurrection is not the big finish to an unbelievable story but a new beginning for every life story. 

Easter is a one-time event; Jesus suffered, yes! Just as we suffer. Jesus died, yes! Just as we die. But the tomb is empty. Jesus defeated death and that changes everything. Death no longer has the last word. God’s word made flesh is alive and Jesus is on the move restoring and renewing the world with God’s love. 

There is no end to his story. No limit to God’s love. Easter has happened but it’s not over yet. The reality of the resurrection established in Christ is still unfolding. 

Like the women at the tomb, we’ve had a taste of what it feels like to have our world turned inside out and upside down. A recent headline in The Atlantic read: Late stage pandemic is messing with our brain. We are not the same and we have yet to learn all the ways we’ve changed. Like the women at the tomb we gather with deep grief for all that’s been lost, for the turmoil in our lives, for the sin and struggle in our hearts and in the world.

But the Easter story reminds us that none of that keeps the stone from being rolled away. None of whatever we’ve got is too big for the empty tomb. The resurrection does not depend on us. The Resurrection is God’s work and God’s not finished yet. 

The end of this story is still being written. The Risen Christ is at work in the world — healing the sick, comforting the broken hearted, feeding the hungry, freeing the oppressed, speaking the truth and exposing lies. Resurrection is the new reality. And God invites you to step into the story to be part of what happens next. 

“Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here… go, tell the others, he is going ahead of you and you will see him, just as he told you”.

Beloved people of God — the tomb is empty. God is faithful. You will see him. God’s promise never ends. Hope prevails. Life and love win. Jesus is alive and his story is yours to live. 

Christ is Risen. Christ is Risen Indeed. Alleluia. Amen.