New Life Is Right Here
Mary Magdalene, Joana, Mary the mother of James, and the other women go to the tomb with spices to tend to Jesus’ body. When they find the tomb empty and are stunned by the presence and words of the men in dazzling clothing, they remember. They remember what Jesus had said, which compels them to go out and tell the story. Even in utter shock, they return to their deepest knowing and allow themselves to receive the expansiveness of resurrection. Their imaginations and hearts expand, and they must take action in response. Many of the disciples won’t open themselves to this expansiveness and reject it. Peter is curious enough to return to the tomb, and as a result, he is filled with amazement and awe. Like Peter, can we be curious enough to return and remember? Can we allow ourselves to be filled with expansive hope like the women? Can we trust in the expansive promise of new life, and carry that promise with us wherever we go?
Luke 24:1 - 12 (The Message)
24 Early on Sunday morning, even before the sun had fully risen, these women made their way back to the tomb with the spices and ointments they had prepared. 2 When they arrived, they found the stone was rolled away from the tomb entrance, 3 and when they looked inside, the body of the Lord Jesus was nowhere to be seen. 4 They didn’t know what to think. As they stood there in confusion, two men suddenly appeared standing beside them. These men seemed to glow with light. 5 The women were so terrified that they fell to the ground facedown.
Two Men: Why are you seeking the living One in the place of the dead? 6 He is not here. He has risen from the dead. Don’t you remember what He told you way back in Galilee? 7 He told you that the Son of Man must be handed over to wicked men, He must be crucified, and then on the third day He must rise.
8 The women did remember Jesus’ words about this, 9 so they returned from the tomb and found the eleven and recounted for them—and others with them—everything they had experienced. 10-11 The Lord’s emissaries heard their stories as fiction, a lie; they didn’t believe a word of it. (By the way, this group of women included Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, along with a number of others.) 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he reached the opening, he bent down, looked inside, and saw the linen burial cloths lying there. But the body was gone. He walked away, full of wonder about what had happened.
Notes from The Voice Translation
This phrase, “Son of Man,” is very important in Luke’s story and may have many layers of meaning. It may mean “epitome of humanity” or “prime example of what a human can be.” But it also evokes a specific passage of Scripture that is very important to Jewish people, Daniel 7:13-27. There the phrase “Son of Man” refers to a king who receives an eternal and universal kingdom, and it also represents “the saints of the Most High”—the people of God. In light of Jesus’ central message about the kingdom of God, it is likely that the phrase suggests Jesus is the long-awaited Anointed One who launches a new era in human history and who creates a community of people who represent the eternal and universal kingdom of God. In this way, “Son of” suggests “new generation of,” and “Man” suggests “humanity.” Jesus is Himself the new generation of humanity (a second Adam, a new beginning), and the community He creates shares this identity (a new creation, a new humanity in Jesus). The two messengers here use this pregnant phrase in a way that shocks everyone: The way this long-awaited Anointed One receives His kingdom is not through conventional military victory where enemies are defeated and killed. No, this King receives His kingdom by suffering, dying, and rising again Himself. Amazing news—good news!
Worth Pondering
- How do we carry forth what we have learned during Lent and that we celebrate on Easter?
- An expansive life means we are fully present to awe, beauty, and pain. We know our self-worth is rooted in God’s love. We live full to the brim with grace and gratitude. What reminders do you need about how to live an expansive life?
New Life Right Here
Poetry Prayer by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed
Maybe today
we can take a moment.
Maybe today
we can silence the inner critic.
Maybe today
we can leave perfection at the
door. Maybe today we can allow
ourselves to be here.
Maybe that’s all that
matters. Maybe this sunrise
is for us. Maybe these
Hallelujahs are for us.
Maybe the hope blooming in
my chest is for us.
Maybe the resurrection was not just about God’s
body, but is about our body.
Maybe this new life reaches all the way to the edges.
Maybe we are free to live in a new way
where love is the currency and we are enough.
Maybe that’s what this is all
about—not a relentless pursuit
of more
but God’s relentless pursuit of me.
New life
is right here.
Like the women—say it
out loud. Like Peter - run
that way.
Amen.