Song: Second Chapter of Acts “Here the bells ringing”
Goodness is stronger than evil
Love is stronger than hate
Light is stronger than darkness
Life is stronger than death.
Opening Prayers
When we are despairing and see no way ahead
Roll back the stone!
When we are frightened and fear for our life
Roll back the stone!
When we are hungry, thirsty and need shelter
Roll back the stone!
When we need a miracle to change our lives
Roll back the stone!
The Lords Prayer in our own language
Song “See what a morning”
Reading Mark 16v1-8
Reflection -Resurrection!
So Mark is the earliest gospel written about 30 years after Jesus death by the young man who fled naked from Roman soldiers when they came to arrest Jesus.
The story of the resurrection in Mark is short and descriptive. The Jews had a day off, the Sabbath, when they couldn’t go shopping or do much. It went from sunrise to sunset. So as soon as they could some women who followed Jesus (its always the women who get it first!), collect some spices together and go to anoint Jesus body ready for burial. Its early and the breeze is whispering through the trees. They were concerned about rolling the stone away from the tomb because it was heavy. It was sunrise. But it had already been rolled back. They went on into the tomb and encountered a young man dressed in white. And they were afraid. But someone was watching. He saw their fear and said “Don’t be afraid, Jesus who you are looking for, who was crucified has been raised. The young man told them to go and tell Peter and the disciples that Jesus was going to meet them in Galilee. They fled terrified and Mark says they said nothing to anybody.
So who rolled the stone away on that Sunday morning? Where did the body go? Why was it never found? Who was the young man in white?
At whatever level you relate to this story that many of you have heard many times before, there is a problem at the center. Where was the body?
If you don’t believe Jesus was raised from the dead, then where was the body? Somebody, the Romans, the Sanhedrin, the disciples would have found the body. Even if they burnt it, someone would know and it would get out.
Also we have the problem that whatever happened, enough people encountered a risen Jesus, to cause a movement that changed history.
Legend has it that Jesus had already appeared to Joseph of Arimathea, Joseph who gave the burial place who with Nicodemus took down Jesus from the cross, anointed, wrapped him in cloths and took him to the tomb.
In our own lives there is a part that has been killed, crucified and is dead and buried. Our challenge is that this Easter, will we allow God to work in our lives so that part that was killed and buried, is resurrected. Whatever that is for you do it.
Nobody said this Christian stuff was easy. It is an x rated, violent story. To follow our soul, really follow it, we will encounter major difficulties, because good people do. But we do it because we will regain our life.
Whatever that is for you, I don’t know and it will be different for each one of us.
If Jesus rose from the dead then that changes your life and mine. Don’t be dulled by nonsense, consumerism and people around you who believe differently. Start today to change, to change yourself and the world and follow this man who taught us how to live right, challenged the status quo and the religious and secular authorities. This is a call to action. If you do this then your life and the lives of others around you will change. Roll away the stone!
Song “Behold the Lamb”
We remember those who need our prayers on this Easter day.
Blessing
May the God who shakes heaven and earth
Whom death could not contain
Who lives to disturb and heal us
Bless us with power to go forth
And proclaim the gospel
Song: Through it all-Hillsong
