Sermon Index
Easter, March 31, 2013
Have you ever opened the refrigerator door, but then couldnft remember what you had come to get? Have you ever gone shopping, but because you didnft bring your shopping list you could not remember everything you needed to buy? Have you ever forgotten a password and were not able to do something? There are the nice, old memories that make us smile. There are other things we must remember in order to survive in this modern world.
On the first Easter morning, Mary and the other women remembered that Jesus had died and so they remembered the ancient burial customs with spices and they remembered where the tomb of Jesus was and so they went to the correct tomb. They remembered that the door had been sealed with a large stone. But when they arrived the stone was rolled away from the tomb, and for a moment they were glad, because they thought they could go right in and perform the funeral rituals. But when they entered, the body of Jesus was gone. They did not remember any plans to move the body of Jesus and so they did not know what to do next. Neither did they remember the plans of Jesus to resurrect on the third day. And so they did nothing. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two angels in gleaming clothes appeared to them.
The angels reminded the women about the plan of Jesus:@
Luke 24:5-8
gWhy do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 eThe Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.fh 8 Then they remembered his words.
Then the women remembered the words of Jesus. And so they told the Good News to the disciples. But the disciples did not remember or understand or believe or trust the words of Jesus. But Peter must have remembered the words of Jesus, and so he ran to the tomb and checked it out. But he did nothing but wonder to himself what had happened.
Today we have remembered that it is Easter Sunday, and so we have come to church. We remember the words of Jesus, and so we believe that Jesus did indeed rise from the dead. We remember the promises of Jesus, and so the empty tomb is no surprise for us. We remember that the angels told the Good News, and so we trust the modern day messengers of the Gospel. We remember that Jesus later appeared to the disciples, and so we look forward to the day when we too shall meet Jesus.
We remember that Jesus died to forgive our sin, and so Easter is like our own little resurrection. And so we are alive with Christ. And so every Sunday becomes a little Easter where we rediscover the empty tomb, hear the message of the Gospel, and remember the words and promises of Jesus. And so every day becomes a little Easter where we remember the love and mercy and grace and forgiveness of God. And so everyday we are alive with Christ. Then we remember that the way to live is with that same love and mercy and forgiveness.
Amen.@
Michael Nearhood, Pastor
Okinawa Lutheran Church