Easter Eve (Matthew 28:1-10)

Easter Eve (3^rd April 2010)

(Matthew 28:1-10)

 

The Resurrection of Jesus was filled with strange phenomena that we cannot explain in modern human terms.  It needs more than just human logic to understand what was taking place.  Many people have chosen the simple way out: either by rejecting the resurrection story, or just blind acceptance. While rejection leads to disbelief, blind acceptance leads to apathy. That is why on a day like this we make great effort to preach the right message so that Christians understand what they believe in.  

It is insufficient to say that Easter is important because it is a Church’s tradition. Otherwise, we worship at Easter simply to fulfil a tradition.  If we do things simply because it is our tradition, they are not really useful in our everyday lives, and neither are they helpful in building up our relationship with God. In fact they can create wrong attitudes, causing us to be judgemental of others who are not doing things the way we do. 

To understand the importance of the resurrection we need to look at how it had made a difference in the lives of the disciples.  And the first obvious change is in their relationship with Jesus.  Jesus who was a friend who used to eat, talked and travelled with them is seen in a different light after the resurrection: he is now met with awe and reverence.  In our Gospel reading tonight we hear about the women holding unto the feet of Jesus and worshipped him.  Both Matthew and Luke tell us that the disciples worshipped him (Matt. 28:17; Luke 24: 52).  Thomas called him “My Lord, and my God!” (John 20:28).

The second thing that the disciples experienced was a newly found joy.  It was not merely a feeling of elation or thrill.  It was joy that had to be shared with others.  It was a joy that caused the two tired disciples to walk back eleven kilometers from Emmaus to Jerusalem even though it was already late at night (Luke 24: 13-35).  That joy caused them to be obedient.  When Jesus commanded them to preach the good news of his resurrection, repentance and the forgiveness of sins, they obeyed without questions because the joy was enough to spur and propel them into action.

The third thing that the disciples experienced was peace.  After the crucifixion there was much fear in the hearts of the disciples.  They feared that Jews could be searching for them and arrest them.  It was in this circumstance that Jesus appeared before them, and a great relief it was for them when Jesus said “Peace be to you” (John 20:19, 21).  What sort of peace did Jesus give to his disciples this time?  Jesus must have used the greeting often.  But this time it came with a different meaning.  From an ordinary everyday greeting it is now a blessing of the Kingdom of God.  We note the importance of this peace in the later lives of the disciples and other followers of Christ - how, for example, Paul withstood all difficulties and problems as he preached the Gospel. It was also with that peace that St. Stephen died after being stoned to death.  However, it should be noted that this peace was not meant to keep Christians away from difficulties and troubles in this world. This peace was to strengthen them as they face problems and difficulties in this world.  This peace from God became the basis where they stood, where they made their decisions and where they worked.  Because it came from God this peace was not afraid of outside pressure and it bowed down to no one. 

The fourth experience that the resurrection brought into the life of the disciples was hope. Death is now defeated. It became an assurance to the disciples: because Jesus has risen they too would live beyond the grave.  It means that as believers in Jesus we must see our lives not just within the span of sixty, seventy or eighty years that we live in this world.  There is more to what we have and what we are experiencing now.

Finally there is the experience of victory over sin and evil.  The victory over sin and death has been truly won. The forces of darkness and despair have done their worst, but they are now fallen under the Christ’s conquering feet.  Sin and evil may appear to be a strong force that we have to fight against now, but its real sting has been defeated.  That is why Paul said in Romans 8: 31 and 38, “If God is for us, who can be against us?  ³⁸For I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love; neither death nor life, neither angels nor heavenly rulers or powers, neither present nor the future, neither the world above nor the world below – there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

So resurrection had effected changes in the lives of the followers of Jesus, especially in the way they worshipped and the knowledge of whom they worshipped.  In place of sadness and fear there was joy and peace. In the midst of all gloom and despair in the world there was hope.  Sin and evil seemed to be in control, but they were assured a victory.

These should be the experiences of all Christians as people who believe in the resurrection of Christ.  But how often do we feel defeated, despair, uncertain and hopeless?  In face of the problems around us are we actually at peace even with ourselves?  Indeed life can be very intimidating at times, especially when there are problems.  But the assurance of the resurrection is something we can trust to carry us through.  If Jesus can overcome death, we can surely overcome our problems. 

The Resurrected Jesus is our Lord. But if your attention is taken away by so many other things, that you have little time for God, then Jesus is not your Lord.   He will have it all or nothing. Jesus is either your Lord or he is not one at all.

Jesus demanded complete allegiance from his disciples. The same demand is made upon us.  If Jesus sent out his disciples to preach out the Gospel, he is also sending us out today to do the same.  If he called his disciples to suffer we are also called to experience the same.  And because the demand and the command is the same, the benefits that we are to reap from the experiences of the resurrection should be the same.  If the resurrection changed fearful men into brave men, it should do the same for us.  If it created hope in them it should create hope in us too.  If it gives them peace and joy, it should give us peace and joy as well.

But if we find that our personal lives as well as the Church life are devoid of the experiences of joy, peace, victory, hope, and worship, we need to ask why. I can tell you why. It is because, in one way or other, we have failed to put Jesus in the centre of our lives.  And when Jesus is not at the centre of our lives, we shall put others things at the centre; that will occupy our time; that make us worried; that put fear into our hearts; and that distract us from the Kingdom of God.

I am going to continue this message tomorrow morning.