Lectionary for Easter Day

Lectionary for Easter Day.

Christ is risen: Christ is risen indeed!

Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:20, 22

Collect. Lord of life and power, through the mighty resurrection of your Son you have overcome the old order of sin and death and have made all things new in him. May we, being dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ, reign with him in glory, who, with you and the Holy Spirit ever lives, one God, from all eternity. Amen.

Reading. Luke 24:1-12. All the gospel writers confirm the resurrection of Jesus and it is as we examine each author’s description that a fuller picture emerges. However, each writer brings his own emphasis in order to record for our information what is the single most important event in world history!

In Luke’s first record of the resurrection there is no mention of a physical sighting but Luke leaves us many clues which to the readers of Jesus time would have been very telling. As the crucifixion took place on the day before the Sabbath the tomb would have lain undisturbed for the whole of the Sabbath, leading us to the third day before anyone can visit the deceased.  The women who go first to the tomb are all named by Luke, meaning that not only are they personalised but they would have also been known to members of the early church. The scene is set in the very early morning, at first light, and yet the stone at the entrance is rolled away. Tombs were sealed from grave robbers and wild animals by placing a substantial stone over the entrance. This stone was rolled down a slight incline and at the end was a hollowed ridge; meaning that once in place it took many men to open the tomb. The open tomb is empty and Mark and John remark that the bandages which wrapped the body remain. The body had gone but not been stolen. Furthermore the women receive a message from God through the angels (messengers) to announce that though dead, Jesus is once more among the living. That the announcement comes from “men” is important because when the women recount the incident to the apostles they are met with unbelief. We need to remember that in Jewish law, the testimony of a woman was not considered admissible unless verified by a male! However, Peter feels the need to look for himself and finds it just as the initial witnesses had said. Peter looks into the tomb, sees the wrappings neatly laid aside, but then he returns home and we are left with a mystery which prepares us for Luke’s next resurrection incident, namely, “the walk to Emmaus”. In this next episode Luke links the bodily resurrection of Jesus firmly in the ancient prophetic writings of the Jewish family. Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. Luke 24:27.

Luke’s description gives us enough clues to tell us that Jesus though dead is now back once more among the living. How that will all work out Luke leaves for the next book which we call the Acts of the Apostles; a book that describes the development of the early church.

Prayer. Gracious God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; With what joy does this day dawn for us, and with what celebration will we be pleased to greet this new Easter day. Yet how different it was for those first women and men of faith. A new beginning with new possibilities, for nothing would ever be the same again. As we look back Lord to the empty tomb and the folded clothes we thank you that you are not there. You are not locked in history. We thank you more because we know that we do not need to look back in order to find you but can look forward to a glorious future that you have established for us. So on this day as we prepare to worship at Easter again, may our hopes and dreams be fixed on the future that you have prepared when we will reign with you in glory, celebrating eternally your triumph over sin and death. Amen

Reading. Acts 10:34-43.This week we will look at the epistle after we have reflected on the gospel reading because it reminds us of the influence the resurrection of Jesus had not only on Peter but on all the apostles. In our passage today Peter is addressing the Gentile Cornelius in his home. In the ancient world a home would seem to us to be a public place for unless you were extremely rich each family’s life was open for all to see, people lived in community: From this we understand that as Peter begins to address Cornelius he is addressing many Gentile listeners.

We must also recognise how significant this presentation is; Jews believed that God loved the Jews alone and all other nations were doomed to eternal separation from God. Peter begins by announcing that he now believes in a God who loves all those who love and worship him. He links this message of peace with the birth and ministry of Jesus Christ. Peter recounts that Jesus was sent by God and through God’s power was able to heal and bring forgiveness to all who would listen. It is because of this ministry that Peter is present among them announcing the good news that everyone can receive the blessings that Jesus promised. This picture of God is very different from the common picture of God, for it promotes a God who loves and cares for people in all situations and conditions. Then Peter goes on to explain what has brought about this new understanding of God and his action in the world. Though Jesus had been crucified in Jerusalem Peter is now confident that Jesus returned to life and appeared after death in bodily form. Indeed Peter and many others shared food with him and were taught by him after his death. Peter recognises that it was the closest associates of Jesus who saw him and therefore became witnesses to the resurrection. This is the amazing event that has turned Peter’s life around and given him and all the other witnesses’ a new understanding of who God is. It is out of that understanding that the command to be a witness is received. Peter is willing and able to declare the Good News of Jesus to the Gentiles. Jesus is the one who judges and as judge Jesus is able to bring forgiveness to all who believe. Despite the cultural boundaries which are being broken and despite the physical danger that Peter’s message causes Peter knows that Jesus is the living Lord. Thus Peter is not just preaching about a philosophy, he is pointing to a Man who has changed his view of life. For Peter, Jesus has brought into being a new relationship with God, one built on love and forgiveness. This message is as fresh today as it was on the day that Peter chose to visit the home of Cornelius and for everyone who believes that continues to be Good News. Today every Christian preacher can say that Jesus lives and declare with confidence that God in his love is reaching out for each one of us.

Prayer. Gracious God, like Peter, give us a new understanding of your great love for us and all people. Help us to be ready and willing to put aside old truths and old ways and recognise your way of love. Jesus lived and died and rose again, help us to remember and to understand that He was wounded for our transgressions and it is by his wounds that we are healed. Grant that we may truly be new people, seeing life in a new way; living for you and not for self. May the reality of Jesus living as Lord change our hearts and open us to worship you alone. May the wonder that is presented through the resurrection of Jesus Christ touch hearts and minds around our world and as one glorious family we may rise and praise your name: for He lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God for ever and ever; Amen

Collect. God ever-new, you brought life out of death, and hope from despair when you raised our Lord from the grave. May we always proclaim the victory of Jesus in the world, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.