Beyond the Tomb

Mark 16:1-8

Easter Sunday 2006

( 8:30 , “Beyond the tomb” video)

Here we are, Easter Sunday, 2006.  It’s the day of the year that we celebrate our Lord’s resurrection from the dead. 

A Sunday school teacher had just finished telling her third graders about how Jesus was crucified and placed in a tomb with a great stone sealing the opening. Then, wanting to share the excitement of the resurrection, she asked: "And what do you think were Jesus’ first words when He came bursting out of that tomb alive?" A hand shot up into the air from the rear of the classroom. Attached to it was the arm of a little girl. Leaping out of her chair she shouted out excitedly "I know, I know!" "Good" said the teacher, "Tell us, what were Jesus first words." And extending her arms high into the air she said: "TA-DA!" Contributed by: Ken Kersten

This morning we have gathered to celebrate the “TA – DA!”  We have come to find hope and comfort as we celebrate the reality of our faith. Together, we’ll try to understand just what the “TA – DA” is all about!

( 8:30 ) First, let’s take a look to see what some people on the street think Easter is all about. (Easter interview video)

(First of all,) As we celebrate this Easter Sunday, I want you to know and understand that Easter is not all about the Easter bunny, hippity hopping along and bringing chocolate eggs for you so you forget about your New Year’s resolution to diet and fall face-first into a pile of candy.
Easter is not about hiding pretty colored eggs over every inch of a yard or field, for little children to lose their minds trying to find them.
Easter is not about buying a brand new Easter suit, a new Easter dress, a new Easter hat, or some new Easter shoes.
Easter is not about the Easter madness sale at Macy’s or the Easter white sale at J.C. Penney.
And it’s not about going out to a fancy (and expensive) brunch or putting bunny ears on your dog.

And Easter is not only about what happened at the tomb of Jesus, but it’s about what happens to us beyond the tomb.

Let’s look at our Easter scripture reading.

Jesus was crucified and buried in a tomb on Friday.  Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Salome began their journey to the tomb to anoint the body on the first day of the week, Sunday morning. But they didn’t find what they were looking for.

They came because all that they had lived for the last three years had been taken away from them.
They had had a wonderful three years, full of hope and joy. Now it was all over. The authorities got nervous about their own positions and wanted to get rid of him. Then one of his closest friends betrayed him and handed him over. He had a mock, show trial and was executed. He was dead. He was gone.
His friends and followers had retreated into hiding, fearful of suffering the same fate themselves. Everything was all over. Finished.

On their way to the tomb, they worried about how they were going to remove the huge stone that sealed the entrance.
But as the tomb came within sight, their worries changed. They looked at it in disbelief and astonishment. Shockingly, the stone was gone! Who had moved it? Who had been messing about with the body of their precious teacher? What right did a stranger have to go into his tomb? A huge conflict of emotions hit them, anxiety, fear and anger on top of the loss, sorrow, grief and bewilderment that they already had. What was going on? Why?

They came closer, their knees knocking, their hearts pounding from more than just the exertion of journey. Plucking up all the courage they could muster, they drew close and approached the stoneless entrance. They went in.

And there, their worst fears were realized. They had caught an intruder red-handed, a young man wearing strange white robes. They looked at each other and at him, not knowing what to say or do. But then he spoke:
“Don’t be frightened, you’re looking for Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. He isn’t here, he’s risen – look at the place where they put his body. Tell his disciples, especially Peter, that he’s going to go to Galilee ahead of you. You’ll see him there, just as he promised you that you would!”

Imagine that!  But instead of rejoicing that the One who had offered them hope all these years was indeed alive—risen from the dead—all their emotions instead coalesced into one – sheer terror. Dropping their spices and oils, they turned and ran all the way back to the others.

They said nothing to anyone.  And that’s a shame.

Sometimes we come to Jesus, to the tomb on Easter Sunday, expecting to find what we think should be there.  Sometimes we do—the same old stuff.  And sometimes we find the unexpected. 

But the shame is that either way, we say nothing to anyone and we tend to walk away from the tomb and then wait to come back to it next year.  And we feel that we’ve missed something.

Perhaps we go home, back to our routine, and feel unchanged, unaffected by the events of that first Easter.  Maybe we notice a sense of loneliness, even in a crowd, or how the sight of a cross draws our eye. 

You just know that something is missing.  Just like the women knew it as they approached the tomb.  Maybe you just don’t believe that someone could love you enough to give their life for you that way that Jesus did.

Let me ask you: Why have you come here this morning? Because it is expected? Because it is habit?
What are you expecting to find at the tomb? I tell you that you will not find chocolate eggs or dogs with bunny ears on them.  And if you’ve come to look in the tomb, you won’t find much.  But if you look beyond the tomb, you will find the risen Lord!

And because Jesus was raised from the dead, he offers us hope for life here and now!  It doesn’t matter what you’ve done, or what has happened to you, or even if this is your first time stepping foot in a church.
Because Jesus rose from the tomb, to quote a song by the band Third Day,

“There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary, love for the broken heart;

there is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing,

                   to meet you wherever you are.”

Wherever you are.  You see, Jesus Christ is HERE, in this place!  He’s risen –don’t look at the tomb where they put his body. Look beyond the tomb.  “TA – DA!”  You will meet him HERE, just as he promised you.  And at your job, in the grocery store—even in your home.
We celebrate Easter because Jesus died on a cross and rose from the dead so that we may spend eternity with God in heaven. 

That’s the best news in the world!  And it’s for you, whoever you are and wherever you’ve come from.  Jesus rose from the dead for you!

Instead of saying nothing to anyone, we should tell everything to everyone!  Don’t hide it under a chocolate bunny!

And so because of this, should be celebrated every day, beyond the day we look at the tomb!

Easter should be celebrated every morning we open up our eyes and can still see the beauty and glory of the day.
Easter should be celebrated every time we see our children running and playing in the house or in the yard.
Easter should be celebrated every time you look at your paycheck and realize that you can put food on the table.
Easter should be celebrated every time one of our loved ones has transitioned from this life to eternal rest.  Because in Jesus we can one day meet them there.