Matt 28:1-10 for Easter Sunday, 2008

Translation:
(1)Now after the Sabbath, on the dawning of the first day, Mary of Magdala and the other Mary went to see the tomb. (2)And suddenly there was a great earthquake for an angel of the Lord was descending from heaven and he rolled away the stone and sat upon it. (3)And his appearance was as lightening and his clothing white as snow. (4)And the guards were shaking for fear of him and they were like dead. (5)And the angel spoke to the women and said, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are seeking Jesus, the one who has been crucified. (6)He is not here, for he was raised just as he said. Come, see the place where he was laid. (7)Go quickly and tell his disciples that he was raised from the dead. He goes ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see him. This is what I spoke to you." (8)And going quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell his disciples. (9)And suddenly Jesus met them saying, "Greetings." Coming to him, they took hold of his feet and worshiped him. (10)Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers that they should go into Galilee. They will see me there."

For every woman reading the Gospels, this has got to be a defining moment. There aren't many women that figure prominently in the Bible, but here are two women who get center stage. Not only are they the first to learn the amazing news--not even death can keep Jesus away!--but they are also the first to meet the resurrected Christ!

Here is what I find remarkable: all of the earthly power authorities in this story no longer have power.  The men in this story are noticeably absent, especially for a culture where men hold all the powerful positions.  There are guards at the tomb, but when an angel from heaven descends they are as good as dead.  Even though they went to great lengths to make sure that their "Jesus problem" was gone, the Romans cannot stop God's plan for salvation.  The disciples are no where to be found.  

It just seems to me that the earthly structures of power don't have a hold anymore.  Why else would the two Mary's feel empowered to go see the tomb by themselves?  It doesn't matter any more if the men in their life approve.  Then, when they learn that Jesus is not dead, that he is in fact alive and that they will seen him very soon, it is all confirmed!  There is nothing more to fear.  Not even death has a hold on them anymore.  

Every Easter I am reminded that we live in a different world because of Jesus.  It doesn't always seem that different.  In fact, most of the time it can seem pretty miserable.  But, because of Jesus we know that death no longer has a hold on us.  We no longer need to live in fear of death.  Imagine what that frees us to do!  We can live boldly in God.  We can do things, like stand up for justice without fearing our lives.  I believe this firm belief in the resurrection empowered the Apostle Paul to challenge authority.  It allowed Martin Luther to question the Roman Catholic Church.  It gave John Wesley the courage to enter prisons and form discipleship groups with drunks.  It gave people like Martin Luther King Jr. the ability to dream.

Each year Easter rolls around, I remember that Jesus lived boldly in God and that I can too because there is nothing left to fear.  Living the Gospel message can be a fearsome thing, but each time I hear the story of the resurrection I am reminded that not even death can keep the Gospel down.