Easter Sunday, the Day of Resurrection- John 20:1-10

The Paschal Feast, the Feast of the Resurrection, or Easter, is the culmination of the biblical message and of the church calendar. Jesus of Nazareth, who accepted terrible physical and spiritual suffering to save us from sin, has risen from the dead; He offers us new life, in this world and the next. Easter is the great dividing point in human history. Among other things, Christ's Resurrection is the seal of divine approval upon the earthly life, ministry, and death of Jesus. In addition, it is the key event that transforms a band of disheartened and defeated disciples into faithful witnesses and ministers of the Good News. The whole New Testament is written from the standpoint of faith in the risen Lord Jesus Christ.

In the traditional Books of Common Prayer, the first Easter Gospel is from St. John 20. 1-10. It proclaims the importance of faith. At first, the women at the empty tomb and the apostles who hear the women's report react with fear and curiosity. When the apostles hear the news from the women, Simon Peter and the other disciple (traditionally identified as John) run to see for themselves. Peter goes in first to see the grave clothes. Then that other disciple enters, "and he saw and believed" (St. John 20:8). Accepting that the empty tomb is a real and important event, but this is only a first step. There must also be a second step.  The reality of the empty tomb calls each person to a personal response: faith in the living Jesus Christ! 

So on this Easter, let each of us accept with faith what the empty tomb tells us about Jesus. He is unique. He is not merely someone who has recovered from physical death. He has experienced Resurrection; that is, He has conquered death. He has overcome the forces of evil, destruction, and death for all time, for all who truly believe in Him. He is the Word of God incarnate, God the Son. By overcoming death, He has (in the words of the collect) "opened unto us the gate of everlasting life." Christ lives, and because He lives, we also may truly live in union with Him. Alleluia. The Lord is risen indeed; O come, let us adore him. Alleluia.

Easter Day, the Feast of the Resurrection- Colossians 3; John 20

He is risen! The Lord is risen indeed! (Mark 16:6; Luke 24:34) With these scriptural words or similar phrases, Christians have greeted one another for almost two thousand years. The greatest Christian celebration has finally arrived. The primary Gospel in the Book of Common Prayer is St. John 20:1- 10. This passage makes clear how surprising and important Christ's Resurrection was to the first disciples. Believing in the empty tomb and bodily resurrection of Jesus are essential affirmations for being a faithful Christian disciple. 

The Epistle from Colossians 3. 1-4 applies the reality of Christ's Resurrection. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 

In these words, St. Paul applies the meaning of the historical reality of the Resurrection to the lives of believers. First, Christians have been incorporated into Christ's Resurrection. This has taken place through Baptism and faith; believers have died to their old sinful ways and risen to new life in the Lord. (as explained by the Apostle in Romans 6). Secondly, being raised with Christ means that Christians seek "those things which are above." Believers are to look heavenward because Christ is now at the Father's right hand. As a result, Christians do not set their affection on earthly things. We live in a new and different way because we believe that Christ will return to lead His followers into glorious realms. 

So Easter, the Feast of the Resurrection, is multi-dimensional for those who have faith in Jesus Christ. Yes, there is a unique and glorious event at the basis of the church's celebration. Jesus of Nazareth conquered death and arose to life in bodily form. He showed us His true nature as the divine Savior. He could not be destroyed by the powers of death and evil. And because He lives, He can offer us new and eternal life with Him!

Easter Day, the Resurrection of our Lord- Mark 16:6; Luke 24:34

 He is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. (St. Mark 16. 6; St. Luke 24. 34)

Some Christians have celebrated Easter so long or so often that they may take it for granted, but we should pause for serious reflection about the Resurrection. We ought to be excited and joyful. Christ's Resurrection should continue to fill us with amazement and awe. It is the greatest manifestation of divine power, the greatest miracle, yet seen in human history. God's new act through Jesus Christ His only Son is truly awe-inspiring. 

Early on a Sunday in the first century,  the crucified Christ rose from the dead. A power greater than any natural forces we know broke into human history. Divine energy transformed the dead body of a defeated Jewish teacher into the glorious body of the Lord of all creation. God overcame sin and death and by raising Jesus, He also offered us new and eternal life. He transformed the Cross, the cruel instrument of shame and painful death into a symbol of new and glorious life. This is the great mystery at the heart of the Christian faith, and it still fills our hearts with awe and with joy. This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 128. 24)

Easter- Resurrection Faith- John 20: 1-10

The Paschal Feast, the Feast of the Resurrection, or Easter is the high point of the biblical message and of the church year. The one who accepted terrible physical and spiritual suffering to save us from sin has risen from the dead to offer us new life, in this world and the next. Easter is the great dividing point in human history. The Resurrection is, among other things, the seal of divine approval upon the earthly life, ministry, and death of Jesus. It is the key event that transforms a band of disheartened and defeated disciples into faithful witnesses and ministers of the Good News. The whole New Testament is written from the standpoint of faith in the risen Lord Jesus Christ. The apostolic writings are also written to inspire and strengthen that same Resurrection faith in others. 

In the traditional Books of Common Prayer, the first Easter Gospel from St. John 20. 1-10 refers to the importance of faith. The initial reaction of the women at the empty tomb and of the apostles who hear the women's report is not faith but fear and curiosity. When the apostles hear the first reports, Simon Peter and the other disciple (traditionally identified as John) run to see for themselves. Peter goes in first to see the grave clothes. Then that other disciple enters, "and he saw and believed" (St. John 20:8). The empty tomb is a real and important event. But acknowledging the empty tomb is only a first step. This first step must be followed by the second step shown by John; that is, the empty tomb demands the response of belief or faith. 

So on this Easter, may divine grace renew our faith. Let us accept with faith what the empty tomb tells us about Jesus. He is unique. He is not merely someone who has recovered from physical death. He has experienced Resurrection; He has conquered death. He has overcome the forces of evil, destruction, and death for all time, for all who truly believe in Him. He is the Word of God incarnate, the Messianic King, God the Son. By overcoming death, He has (in the words of the collect) "opened unto us the gate of everlasting life." Christ lives, and because He lives, we also may truly live in union with Him. Alleluia. The Lord is risen indeed; O come, let us adore him. Alleluia.

Easter Basics 2019

I have never been a person to travel far from home around Good Friday and Easter. This year, family circumstances meant that I was far from home, and there was no liturgical congregation nearby. Yet, I did have a Bible and a Book of Common Prayer.

So I said Morning and Evening Prayer and read the appointed lessons from Scripture. This was more low-key than most years, but it was meaningful. I focused briefly but intensely on Jesus' passion, time in the tomb, and resurrection. And if anything, I had a greater than usual appreciation for St. Paul's exhortation in Colossians 3- "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God."

Such a perspective should be the goal of all our observances, elaborate or simple. We Christians think that the death and resurrection of Jesus are core historical realities. We must affirm these events, but beyond that, we need to see the application to our personal and corporate lives. As Christ has died and risen, so have we through baptism and faith. Therefore, we should set our affections on heavenly and spiritual matters and live accordingly.

Easter Day 2018

St. John 20: 1-10.

The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, and the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. 

There is so much that can be said about the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the central event in human history. It is the foundation of all Christian theology. It is central in Christian liturgy and celebration. It is the basis of hope. It is the great example of divine love and mercy. All those things and more deserve our attention. Yet, personally, the key is the reaction of the young beloved disciple- "he saw and believed." At that point, he did not understand all the Scriptures or have a developed theology; he simply believed in the living Lord Jesus. On this day, that is where we all need to start. Jesus Christ is risen!

Easter 2017

I often find myself a little lost for words about Easter. The Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is the overwhelming expression of divine power and grace in all human history. Sermons, hymns, and liturgies are important and humanly necessary responses, and yet they only scratch the surface. So for me, the reading of a resurrection Gospel and basic prayers of thanksgiving, including a simple early Communion service, make the point as well as the largest and most theatrical liturgies.

The Lord is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Thanks be to God. Alleluia!

The Three Days

The Three Days from the evening of Maundy or Holy Thursday to Easter morning commemorate events at the heart of the Christian message. They are also themes at the heart of Anglican Liturgy and Doctrine. From the meaning of the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper to the centrality of the Cross and Resurrection, the commemorations of these days bring an intense focus that reminds us of Christ's work for our salvation. This focus is important for sincere Christians of any tradition; for an Anglican, this focus should bring home the reality that our heritage is truly evangelical, that is, gospel-based. Thanks be to God the Father, and praise to our risen Lord Jesus Christ!

Easter Day, the Prayer Book Anthem

He is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. (Mark 16. 6; Luke 24. 34)

The significance of the Feast of the Resurrection is beautifully presented  in the scriptural Easter Anthem for Morning Prayer-

CHRIST our Passover is sacrificed for us: * therefore let us keep the feast,
Not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; * but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Cor. v. 7.

 CHRIST being raised from the dead dieth no more; * death hath no more dominion over him.
For in that he died, he died unto sin once: * but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, * but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. vi. 9.

 CHRIST is risen from the dead, * and become the first-fruits of them that slept.
For since by man came death, * by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, * even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Cor. xv. 20.

 Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

(compiled by Archbishop Cranmer in 1549; inserted as an Easter invitatory in Morning Prayer in 1552.)

Easter Day- He is risen!

The Paschal Feast, Feast of the Resurrection, or Easter is the high point of the liturgical year. Because of its central importance, it is sometimes difficult to discuss. The words of the Scriptures and the greatness of the liturgy always seem so far beyond my comments. Anything that I say or write is only a momentary glimpse of the great and joyous mysteries that Christians celebrate on this day. 

Jesus of Nazareth is the risen Christ! The one who suffered terrible physical and spiritual agonies to save us from our sin has risen from the dead to offer us new life, in this world and the next. Easter is the great dividing point in human history. The Resurrection is, among other things, the seal of divine approval upon the earthly life, ministry, and death of Jesus. It is the key event that transforms a band of disheartened and defeated disciples into faithful witnesses and ministers of the Good News. All the Gospel accounts of His Resurrection and all the Epistle commentaries and exhortations about it are written from the standpoint of faith in the risen Lord. They are also written to inspire and strengthen that same Resurrection faith in others. 

In the traditional Books of Common Prayer, the first Easter Gospel (St. John 20. 1-10) refers to the importance of faith. The initial reaction of the women at the empty tomb and of the apostles who hear the women's report is not faith. The first reactions are fear, hesitancy, amazement, and curiosity. Simon Peter and the other disciple whom Jesus loved (traditionally identified as John) run to see for themselves. Peter goes in first to see the grave clothes. "Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw and believed" (St. John 20:8). 

The empty tomb is important. It is a real event that must not be denied or ignored. It is an integral part of the New Testament message. Nevertheless, acknowledging the empty tomb is only a first step. This first step must be followed by the second step shown by John; that is, the empty tomb demands the response of belief or faith. So on this Easter, let us renew our faith. let us accept with faith what the empty tomb tells us about Jesus. He is unique. He is not merely someone who recovers from physical death. Others may have experienced resuscitation; He has experienced Resurrection. He has overcome the forces of evil, destruction, and death for all time, for all who truly believe in Him. He is the Word of God incarnate, the Messianic King, God the Son. By overcoming death, He has (in the words of the collect) "opened unto us the gate of everlasting life." Christ lives, and because He lives, we also may truly live in union with Him. Alleluia. The Lord is risen indeed; O come, let us adore him. Alleluia.