Sonrise 2018 -- "Trembling and bewildered... yet going anyway"

Mark 16:1-8 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Has Risen

16 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 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 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”

8 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

Mark’s account of what happened that Easter Morning is slightly different than what we are used to hearing.  First, we see those going to the tomb express concern about how they will be able to move the large stone that sits in front of the tomb.  We are used to doors or lids that open easily. Not in those days, it was an incredibly large and heavy stone that acted as a barrier to the outside world as well as a deterrent for thieves wishing to steal from the tomb.  They didn’t think they had the strength to move the large stone so they didn’t even know for sure if they could get into the tomb. And yet they went anyway.  Upon reaching the tomb, they realize that the large stone had already been moved.  There sat a messenger telling them the good news: “Don’t be alarmed... He has risen! He is not here.”  The scriptures goes on to say that the women were trembling and bewildered and they fled from the tomb.  I can’t say that I really blame them... That would have been quite the shock! But the next part I find extremely interesting... “They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.”  They said nothing to anyone... However, we know that this isn’t quite true or we wouldn’t be here today. Think about it, if they truly kept what they saw secret, then we would be none the wiser today.  We wouldn’t gather for breakfast... no Sonrise service, no service ever, really. If they truly had kept that morning a secret, Christianity would have never existed. So then the question becomes why add that to the scriptures.  We know that it’s not really true... To be honest, I am not certain why it was included in the gospel of Mark but one things is for sure... they didn’t keep it secret long.

To paraphrase William Barclay: The best proof that the resurrection actually occurred is the existence of the Church.  Think about it... The women that day had come to pay their last tribute to a dead body. The attitudes of the disciples was that everything had finished in tragedy.  Absolutely nothing could have changed the sad men and women filled with despair into people radiant with joy and on fire with courage to share the good news. It’s really quite incredible.  They were filled with absolute anguish that their Lord, their Savior, their friend, and son had perished like all had before him. All his promises were broken, the scriptures left unfulfilled.  Their hopes of a new and different kingdom all gone. They were devastated and could never face their peers again after following a man who had spread lies about the Temple and this God of love. Truthfully, their lives were destroyed and they were left to pick up the pieces, swallow their pride and return to their communities, most likely, forever shunned.  I hope I am doing a good enough job painting a picture of despair and hopelessness that they must have felt in the days since Jesus’ death on the cross because it was bleak. All hope was lost. And despite their trembling and bewilderment, they eventually went anyway and spread the good news. They went anyway.    

Undoubtedly, Peter had felt the brunt of this.  Peter was the one who has most likely closest to Jesus and had spoken loudly and proudly about the claims Jesus was making while he was alive.  And yet, the messenger relayed a special message back to Peter from the women that morning: “Go, tell his disciples and Peter.” Peter is coming off a rough couple days... he denied his relationship with Christ three times, not to mention the pain of losing his dearest friend and mentor.  On top of that the anguish of thinking everything Jesus taught him was a waste, he was carrying a heavy burden. But imagine what Peter felt like in that moment... Imagine that message being relayed to him and how that must have brought him pure joy. For those who think God is about wrath and vengeance, this simple phrase goes against all that.  Jesus could have been quite hard on Peter for the denials, doubts and questions. Instead, Jesus was empathetic towards his remorse and looked forward to meeting him back in Galilee. Jesus was far more eager to comfort the sinner rather than punishing the sin. Despite the questions, denials and doubts, Peter headed off to Galilee anyway to meet the risen Lord.  He and the disciples went anyway.

The takeaway from our Easter Vigil this morning is going anyway.  I encourage you to find the courage take the difficult steps, to break those chains, to let go of what is holding you back.  You may tremble. You may feel bewildered at times but go anyway. Place your trust in the resurrection story of Jesus and go meet Jesus where he is calling you.  Go anyway.  Amen.