Easter- Mark 16: 1-8

 The great day has arrived. Christians rightly rejoice on this day because we commemorate the great triumph of Jesus Christ which is at the heart of our faith. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

 Nevertheless, as the alternate Gospel from Mark 16: 1-8 shows us, the first Easter did not begin with joy. It began with sorrow and fear. Why fear? For several reasons. The disciples, both women and men, were afraid that the Romans and the Jerusalem priesthood might track down followers of the executed Messiah. They were afraid that the authorities might have desecrated the tomb of their beloved rabbi. They were also afraid because one did not expect to run into angels every day. They were afraid as they considered the real possibility of Christ's Resurrection. The empty tomb, the angels, and the transformed Lord Jesus were great and unusual manifestations of divine power, and throughout the Scriptures, a normal human reaction to divine power is a holy fear. God is holy, His power exceeds human understanding, and weak and sinful creatures should stand in awe and amazement.

Our perspective is a little different from that of the women on the first Easter. We do not fear Romans or Temple guards, and we are not afraid that someone has stolen Jesus' body. Yet, we would do well to have a bit of holy fear as we think of the Resurrection. We are amazed because Christ's Resurrection is the greatest manifestation of divine power seen in human history. God's new act through Jesus Christ His only Son is truly awe-inspiring. Since Christ's Resurrection was long ago and since we have heard the story many times, we must be careful not to take it for granted. Early that Sunday, a power greater than any natural force we know broke into human history. Divine energy transformed the dead body of an executed Jewish leader into the glorious body of the Lord of all creation. 

The Resurrection is the great mystery at the heart of the Christian faith, and we should be amazed. Jesus rising from the dead is an awesome event that we should appreciate in diverse ways. After being amazed, we develop other reactions. We can move on and allow Easter to fill our hearts with joy. Divine goodness has triumphed. Grace and mercy abound. And we can truly begin to appreciate the joy Christ brings. Alleluia! Christ is risen!