An Easter Bus Ride
Matthew 28:1-10
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
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I was on a bus in South Korea, traveling back from Busan to Seoul. It had been a good trip, but I was tired and ready to kick back and sleep until I arrived in Seoul. My eyes were just about to shut when I heard the woman sitting next to me, start talking to me. Truth be told, at that moment, I wanted nothing more than to gesture that I didn't understand what she was saying and turn back towards the window and go to sleep. I politely told her that I wasn't that great at Korean (which was true) and that I wanted to get some rest, yet that didn't deter her from talking to me anyway.
She went on about how she was going to visit her son, who she got in a fight with, and then somehow we got on the topic of faith. I remember her telling me that she couldn't see God moving anymore, and wondered if she should stop believing altogether. From her perspective, it made sense, she had a lot going on, stuff that I didn't include, and her life so far had indicated that nothing good had come from faith. But out of all that fear and doubt, I remember one of the last things she told me, which was, "I still believe in God, though." This Easter, we still believe, believe in the hope, salvation, and freedom that Christ offers. The only difference is that this year we have a different perspective of the empty tomb. And this Easter may feel more like a weary Easter bus ride than the celebratory fanfare with the typical trappings of Easter.
It would be fair to say that most of us are feeling tired this Easter morning. Fear saps a lot of energy from our souls. And grief, losing loved one, jobs, routines, etc., is exhausting as well. The women who went to visit the tomb of Jesus must have been tired as well as they made their way with various spices and incenses. Jesus had only recently been crucified on the cross, and while many mourned the death of Christ because they thought he was a revolutionary. However, I'm sure that there were many who cried because Jesus was a close friend or family member, like the women we met this morning. Easter hope for them, for us, may take the form of silent hope, as we mourn, grieve, and look towards the tomb of Jesus, waiting with bated breath for that moment of resurrection light. Silent hope is still hope, though a type that is not as familiar to us.
We want to break out into the celebratory traditions we usually ascribe to Easter, though this year, it might not be appropriate. Our hearts are heavy, and our hearts still feel as though they are in the tomb with Jesus. We should, of course, take time to take to heart the message of resurrection we hear from our reading as it is pivotal to our faith. However, it is okay if our joy and excitement are tamped down by everything that is going on. We can have a big party that celebrates Christ's return in-person when we meet again, so take time this day to take to heart in your own homes the power of being an Easter people. This Easter God lays out new opportunities that open up ways that we continue to experience the Easter joy that we commemorate this morning.
It's as though Jesus is talking to us this day when he tells the women not to be afraid, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." While we are on the edge of our emotions, we need to hear these words of Jesus as we continue to search out the resurrection hope within the confines of our homes or place of dwelling. The good news comes from the women who first went to the tomb and discovered that Jesus wasn't there. And that gives us a glimpse into what waits for us after this season of life passes. A pandemic cannot contain the good news of life anew that is offered by the risen Lord!
Yet again, sometimes the good news comes in the form of an Easter bus ride, good news that certainly is good, but news that is hard to receive. Especially when you are tired, when you are mourning, and when you just want to close your eyes for that last minute of rest before you start your day. And that is when the hope and the light of the empty tomb and breaks into our world! There is resurrection hope to be had this Easter. It is in the random acts of kindness we show to those in our healthcare system. There is resurrection hope in all the moments great and small that point us in the direction of the empty tomb, showing us that Christ has risen and that the freedom God manifests itself in new ways.
How will you run and spread the news of this joyous day to those around you? Even if you are not able to go out, we are still able to share the story of new life that came at the moment Christ conquered death. This time shall pass, but the memories of what we do now will continue to remain with us and shape us on the day we venture out of our homes. So why not spend this time being a light, a glimpse of resurrected life to neighbors, friends, family, and those who continue to put themselves at risk for the sake of healing and keeping our society functioning? Let our lives be comforted by the risen Lord this Easter by finding ways to be a reflection of God's persevering hope and light.
On this Easter Sunday, we even now continue to lift our hearts and hands in praise to God. We do this 'cause Christ breaks out from the tomb as the risen Lord, even when fear grips our towns and sickness, throws our lives into the unsettling realm of anxiousness. This Easter bus ride may not be what we were hoping for, but it will be an influence of how we see ourselves as people of God from a different perspective. Friends Christ is risen, even though the doors of the church are shut, and prayers are said from home. Christ is alive and moving in those moments where our faith turns to dread. And Christ is alive and risen in the times we are worn out and tired on a bus wanting to be reminded of the Easter hope that gives us new life. Amen