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Introduction to Worship for 4/16/2017

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Yes!

In 2016, major churches worldwide met to discuss a common date for Easter. Rather than it moving each year based on the cycles of the moon, they were proposing it always be the 2nd or 3rd Sunday of April. Does it matter? This moment—this awareness that Christ is risen—can come any time. Indeed, it must. This is what it is to be a Christian: to know somehow that Christ is risen. The “how” does not matter, nor the specific “when.” It is simply grasping the basic truth of this day: that God, not death, has the final word, and God’s word is a resounding “Yes!”

John 20:1–18

The Easter account in John differs somewhat from Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Mary goes alone to the tomb in John. In the others, she goes with one or more other women. John says Peter and the beloved disciple go to the tomb after Mary’s witness. In the other gospels none of the male disciples venture into the tomb.

Mary Magdalene plays an extraordinary role in John’s Easter story. She alone goes to the tomb and returns to tell the disciples that Jesus is not there. Her later encounter with Jesus in the garden qualifies her as the first witness to Jesus’ resurrection. Beyond that, Jesus sends Mary to the other disciples to announce that she has seen the risen Christ. As with the Samaritan woman in John, Mary not only sees and believes—she sees and witnesses. Her words are the first Easter sermon. In being sent and then proclaiming, Mary becomes apostle to the apostles.

Small details shape John’s message. In the first eleven verses, “tomb” occurs nine times. The scene is a place of death. From verse 12 on, tomb is not mentioned. An empty tomb is replaced with the risen Christ. The transition between verses should be noted as ambiguous—is it telling us that John believed Jesus was resurrected, or simply believed what Mary had said, that the body was gone? Frankly, the latter is probably what is intended. Unlike Mary, they do not linger outside the tomb; they return home. “They did not understand.” Belief in resurrection does not come from an empty tomb. Belief in resurrection comes in a restored relationship. Belief in resurrection comes in Mary’s gospel preaching: “I have seen the Lord!”

A still unrecognized Jesus asks Mary, “Whom are you looking for?” (verse 15). Jesus asks a similar question of the first two followers in John 1:38. That was story of call. So is this. It is a call story for Mary Magdalene to be the first one to announce the news. It is a call story for John’s community and for us, to witness, with Mary, to what and whom we see and trust.
• • • • •
Upon hearing Jesus utter her name, Mary hears God’s “Yes!” When have you found yourself “named” and called by Christ? What do you hear in that moment, when Christ calls you by name? With whom can you share this astonishing message?

Connecting scripture and life

What does resurrection life mean for you today? Imagine you have gone to the tomb, found Jesus missing, been caught up in despair and anger and hopelessness. You hear your name, and the challenge to go out and proclaim the risen Christ.
  • What would you proclaim? To whom do you proclaim it?
  • How will you, individually and as a church, do that?

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