A Few Words On "The Word"

April 16, 2006
The Resurrection of the Lord

John 20: 1-9

A Missing Jesus?

This part of the story is soooo great, we tell two different versions of it. On Saturday night-at the great Easter Vigil, we hear Mark's side of the story (16: 1-7). On Sunday, we hear John's (20: 1-9). We can appreciate this story on which all of our faith and hope is based by listening to both accounts and comparing them.

Where's Jesus? That's not only the question that all the characters in both gospels ask, we can ask it, too about both of these passages. This is the only time of the year where Jesus is not speaking or doing in the gospel. And on Easter! Weird!

Maybe this is why. You know when you love someone? More than that-really, really, really love someone, so much that you think you're gonna bust? If you try to explain it to your best friend, some how you feel that you can't quite put into words what you're feeling. That's why we get Valentines, roses and chocolate in heart-shaped boxes. All these help communicate the mystery of love.

God's love for Jesus, God's love for us, is so strong that it raised Jesus (and will raise us) from the dead. How could we possibly put into words, how could we possibly describe what happened at that moment? Can't do it, so all four gospels bring us to an empty tomb, and in Mark, to a strange guy with a message we can't quite figure out: He's not here. (Duh-we see that!) This is the place for dead people. He lives. Go find him! In John, we don't get the strange guy (aka the angel). Today, the story stops with Mary of Magdala, Peter and John stumped more than you were on that last math test. (Ouch!) But John tells us what's going on: "For they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead."

We know the next part of the story. We know that the risen Savior will begin appearing to those whom he loved. But let's not rush away from the empty tomb and the million dollar question ("Where can we find Jesus?") just yet. Munch on that chocolate marshmallow bunny and think about it.

Reflection Question

What empty tombs do you know about-places where once people were oppressed but now they are treated right?

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