Song “Here the bells ringing”
Goodness is stronger than evil
Love is stronger than hate
Light is stronger than darkness
Life is stronger than death.
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!
We say the Lords Prayer in our own language
Song “See what a morning”
Reflection on John 20v1-18
The scene in John's gospel is set when it was still dark, just before dawn. John focuses on Mary. Early in the morning would mean between 3 and 6 am and it would still be dark. Mary having gone to the tomb to anoint the body, finds the body gone and runs to Peter to tell him “they have taken the body and we don't know where they have buried him”.
Peter, John and Mary, they go back to the tomb. John ran on ahead. The tomb was built into the ground with a low door so that they had to bend down, and then look down into it. Peter sees lying there, strips of linen, shroud-like sheets, the linen grave-cloths. The burial cloth - is a small towel used to wipe the face, and it was not lying with the sheets but was folded up beside the linen. (we note the details)
John saw it all and believed.
The 3 facts
1. Jesus lived
We know that Jesus lived because Josephus the Roman historian writes about him in his histories, Antiquities of the Jews, written around 93–94 AD. He writes about 'Jesus' in Book 20, Chapter 9: and describes him as "Jesus, who was called Christ"
2. Jesus died
We know that Jesus died and was crucified because the Roman historian Tacitus, in his Annals (written ca. AD 116), book 15, chapter 44. refers to 'Christus' and his execution by Pontius Pilate.
3. Nobody has ever found his body. Despite so many people knowing what happened, the Roman guards, the disciples, the Jewish leaders, his followers nobody ever found a body or even remains like bones or a grave. Bodies don’t just disappear.
What did Jesus say about his own death
In one of the parables Jesus tells, that the son is taken, thrown out and then killed. One explanation of the parable is that Israel is the vineyard, Israel's religious leaders are the farmers, and the servants are the prophets and the son is Jesus. Mark 12:1-12, Jesus is implying that the "son" of the vineyard owner i.e., himself will be murdered.
Everyone was surprised that he was resurrected! Death is final?! The women, the disciples and the Emmaus travellers, there is no hint that they understood what he was talking about, that resurrection was on the cards, anticipated.
The women did not go to the tomb expecting resurrection, because they took spices to anoint his decaying body.
The stone in front of the tomb was very heavy and in Mark 16:3 the women had debated how they would get the heavy stone moved,
In Luke the angels ask them to recall the promise Jesus made to them in Galilee.
At first the disciples regard the women as hysterical, telling an idle tale. Leros, a delirious story told by the very sick.
Jesus says "Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."
First, the Christ had to suffer. Jesus had predicted this and it was in the Old Testament prophecies.
Second, the Messiah was raised from the dead.
Third his message will be preached throughout the world. The message is for all nations, and the preaching will start in Jerusalem.
Jesus came to offer hope, existential hope. The disciples sense of privilege at being involved in God's plan did not waver even years later, when persecution and rejection of their message became strong. The message is both proclaimed and lived out in a world going in the wrong direction. Then and now.
Whether we have relationship troubles, we are sick, we have financial troubles, we are homeless or stateless, Jesus is the person to turn to. He’s been there and done it and got the t shirt. Don’t trust me, trust the one who was raised from the dead, and trust his God. Jesus
The women were met with an empty tomb. So are we!
Roll back the stone!
"Why do you look for the living among the dead?"
Song “Behold the Lamb”
We remember those who need our prayers on this Easter day.
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
