Dear Friends,
Alleluia. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
This acclamation begins our service of worship on Easter Day, and saying it together really does lift our spirits and make quite clear what it is that we have come to celebrate.
It seems to me that almost everything in life is better shared, whether it is a sorrow or a joy. Think of the disciples that first Easter morning; first their distress at finding the tomb empty, then fear at the sight of the angels in white garments, then bewilderment at what the angels told them, and finally the dawning of the truth , that Jesus had been raised from the dead. All those conflicting emotions would be far too much to cope with for just two people (or one or three, depending on which gospel version you read), so they went rushing back into the city to tell all the others - Luke 24 v 9. Wouldn't you or I have done the same?
In the gospel accounts of Jesus' appearances to the disciples after the resurrection we again hear of how they were often together, still puzzled and confused by the recent events, and suddenly in their midst there was Jesus.
Whenever we are faced with amazing good news we find it almost 'too good to be true', and these first fragmentary meetings with the risen Jesus are often as much filled with terror and confusion as with joy.
Jesus lets them take their time to grasp the reality of what has happened. Patiently he explains the scriptures, eats with them, walks with them, and even cooks for them beside the lake. And all the while he is loving them, leading them forward until it dawns on them that, although it is so extraordinary and so wonderful, they can believe it - because it's true.
Then comes the vitally important bit. He instructs them to "go to every part of the world, and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Those who believe it and receive baptism will be saved" - Mark 16 v 15. That must have seemed an impossible task, but because of their belief in the resurrection, they, and the later apostle Paul, have achieved the impossible. Had they not had that faith, there would be neither Christians nor our lovely church buildings here in the Upper Coquet or anywhere else today.
With Christ nothing is impossible, but perhaps it is the sheer visible permanence of our churches that makes many people take for granted the existence of God, and carry blithely on with life leaving God forever on the back burner; a sort of 'we know where to find him when we want him' attitude. Well, God is not confined to any church or time or place, in fact, he is with you in your kitchen or sitting room as you read this. Christ has burst forth from the tomb, nowhere can contain him, and he has assured all of us who follow him, "I will be with you always, to the end of time"- Matthew 28 v 20.
The question is, do you want to be with him? Do you want to share with those first disciples their indescribable joy when they realised the implications of the empty tomb?
It is yours for the taking. But fear not, God, whose love is revealed to us in Jesus Christ, will not press you, he will remain on the back burner if that is what you want. His time will never run out, but yours just might.
Please join with me and say, Christ is risen, Alleluia!
