The Best News Ever

The loss of a loved one is profoundly painful. The weight of grief slows time to a standstill. We see people going about daily activities wondering why they don’t realize our world has stopped. On Good Friday I imagine those closest to Jesus were completely devastated, His mother labored even to breathe. Everything – her heart, bones, even down to her DNA ached for her beloved son. Her world was swallowed up by the tomb.

Then the news came. Risen! Alive! The deepest, crushing, dark night of despair vanquished. The brightest light of joy and new hope enveloped the day. Yes, where is the sting of death? For those who loved Jesus, this was the best news ever. It was as if, they too, came out of the tomb and into the light.

But for those who feared him, plotted against him, relieved that his death secured their power, this was the worst news ever. And that irksome smirk on Satan’s face was slapped off. It is why the Eastern tradition has the priest telling a joke on Resurrection Sunday. The joke is on Satan, along with the egg on his face.

We celebrate Resurrection Sunday. Not because the stone was rolled away 2000 years ago, but because it is forever being rolled away. When I sin, I enter the tomb, but the forgiveness of Christ rolls my stone away again. In my lifetime I experience roller coaster periods of desolation and hope, darkness and light, death and resurrection.

I need my church, as my stone is too heavy to push aside by myself. In a paradoxical way, the church door is the stone blocking the tomb. As I enter the church and the Body of Christ, I step into the light. The darkness of the world cannot not touch me for I take refuge in the Sanctuary. I am invited by Christ to leave the darkness of sin I carry at his feet, even as he washes mine.

As much I would like to stay, protected in the Sanctuary, I am sent out to tell the best news ever. He Has Risen, He Has Risen Indeed!