Lectionary for Easter B
Christ is risen:Christ is risen indeed!
Christ died for our sins, was buried and raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures; and he appeared to the believers. 1 Corinthians 15:3-5
Collect. Let us pray (that we may rejoice in the victory that is won for us): Lord of all life and power, who through the mighty resurrection of your Son overcame the old order of sin and death to make all things new in him: grant that we, being dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ, may reign with him in glory; to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be praise, honour and thanksgiving, now and in all eternity. Amen.
Reading. 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. Controversy in no stranger to the Christian Faith and as we read this passage we see that it has always been that way: Even in the early church there where those who did not believe the core teachings of the Christian faith. As we have previously noted the congregation in Corinth was a mixture of Gentiles most likely of Greek origin along with Jews with a Hebrew origin. Both groups had a traditional belief in a life after death. However Greeks considered life after death as a purely spiritual experience for death allowed the spirit to be freed from the burden of a physical body. Conversely, Hebrews could not contemplate life after death without a body. However, for the Hebrew thinkers this bodily life after death also meant that the Jews as the Chosen People would be in charge. So Paul is struggling to keep the central principles of the faith clear to both points of view. Thus at the beginning of our reading Paul is reminding the congregation of the importance of the good news which he proclaimed and they in turn received.
Paul’s description of the death and resurrection of Jesus is probably the first written record we have of the events which followed the death of Jesus on the cross. He lists those people who met with Jesus as well as the places where he was present. The people who met with him came from the core of disciples and followers. He did not present himself to those who had opposed him but showed himself to those who would in turn be the ones to take out the message of resurrection. Paul marks himself as one of the last to see Jesus alive and all through his ministry held this meeting as most precious. Paul links salvation firmly to the death of Jesus and his retuning back to life again is seen as the assurance that salvation in Jesus can be claimed. Paul reminds his hearers that it as we hold firm to the message of his death and resurrection that salvation remains an effective reality. That Jesus lived, died and rose again is all we need to know. Everything else must be subject to this truth. Our hope is to be found in that alone for it is through Jesus and his ministry that God works.
Prayer. Lord, at Easter we crowd together to hear again the message that Jesus is alive. It is for us a special day; but Lord you also know our faith and you know our doubts and fears. We want to believe, but sometimes our rational minds put a block in the way and we wonder if we can fully believe. We would like all our questions to be answered but we know they will not all be answered. Despite our times of doubt Lord, bless us and use us that the name of our Lord Jesus may be lifted high and others may come to hear of his love and great salvation. Lord may lives be changed this Easter because Jesus lives. Amen
Reading. Mark 16:1-18. As we read this final chapter of Mark’s Gospel and his record of the resurrection there are some differences between each of the other gospel writer’s recollections. However there are some striking similarities. The entrance to the tomb had been rolled away allowing the women and the disciples to enter the tomb. Then there is the empty tomb which was a major factor in the resurrection description. By far the most important single common factor was that the empty tomb was first discoved by a group of women. In the ancient world the testimony of women was not acceptable. Technically they could not act as reliable witness which tells us that if the early church had set out to fabricate any of the events, the inclusion of women as witnesses would not have been recorded.
Putting that aside let us look at what Mark records. Firstly the women go to the tomb early in the morning to perform the acts of care afforded to those who had died. The disciples had all fled in terror but the women remain loyal to the memory of Jesus. They discuss who will move the stone from the entrance. This was a difficult task as the stone would have been heavy and would have been put in place by rolling it down an incline to seal the entrance. Furthermore there was a ridge at the end of the incline which prevented the stone from easily being removed. The stone was put in place to prevent grave robbers stealing the burial clothing and also the spices used as these in particular were very expensive. It is only when the women see the young man dressed in white that they become alarmed. Up until that time everything was normal and explainable but the man inside the tomb waiting with a message turned the death of Jesus into something much more intriguing. The grave cloths are still in place but the body has gone.
From Mark’s description the message of resurrection has been declared but the women at that point rush from the tomb in terror. Their rational minds cannot comprehend what has happened or even what this might mean. The message they receive is that Jesus has risen and they are to tell the disciples and Peter in particular.
Verse 8 gives us an abrupt ending which seems out of keeping with the rest of Mark’s Gospel so many theories have been suggested, such as the ending had been lost or Mark had more to write. Despite the abrupt ending the early church accepted the additional verses and from this we can concluded that they expressed facts and sentiments which were acceptable to the proclamation of the early church. Thus verses 9 -18 make a new beginning of the discovery by Mary Magdalene of the resurrected Jesus who takes back the message of bodily resurrection to the mourning disciples. Also, there is perhaps a reference to Luke’s story of the two meeting Jesus on the road to Emmaus. Mark then records that Jesus himself appears to the disciples and challenges them about their lack of faith. Jesus declares that their hearts are hard because they are willing themselves not to believe his resurrection. Again the rational mind proves to be a barrier and so limits the actions and power of God only to human understanding. Despite all the textual difficulties Mark’s message is clear, the Good News that Jesus lives has spread abroad and so salvation has come to those who believe.
There are many common threads in the bibles’ description of the resurrection of Jesus but perhaps the most telling sign that Jesus is once more alive apart from the biblical record is the change that occurs in the disciples. These eleven ordinary men who are hesitant, fearful and unbelieving suddenly change and in that change they along with Paul who also had an encounter with the risen Jesus really did turn the world upside down.
Prayer. Almighty and most Merciful God, in your love you have made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life. Grant that we may see the true glory in the cross who for our sake suffered shame and loss. Through the resurrection of Jesus you have conquered sin and death giving to all things a new beginning. Considering his great sacrifice grant that our love may not grow cold in your service and that we may not fail you or deny you in our hour of trial. May we give to Our Lord all praise, honour and thanksgiving, now and in all eternity. This we pray through Jesus the living God. Amen
Collect. Living Jesus, Mary of Magdala came to your grave, the place of death, to be met by news of life. Dying, you have destroyed death, and you live for evermore. Unstop our mouths, that we may give you thanks and praise, now and for ever. Amen.
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