March 31, 2002 - Easter

Matthew 28:1-10

After the Sabbath, as the first light of the new week dawned, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to keep vigil at the tomb. Suddenly the earth reeled and rocked under their feet as God's angel came down from heaven, came right up to where they were standing. He rolled back the stone and then sat on it. Shafts of lightning blazed from him. His garments shimmered snow-white. The guards at the tomb were scared to death. They were so frightened, they couldn't move.

The angel spoke to the women: "There is nothing to fear here. I know you're looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised, just as he said. Come and look at the place where he was placed.

"Now, get on your way quickly and tell his disciples, 'He is risen from the dead. He is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.' That's the message."

The women, deep in wonder and full of joy, lost no time in leaving the tomb. They ran to tell the disciples. Then Jesus met them, stopping them in their tracks. "Good morning!" he said. They fell to their knees, embraced his feet, and worshiped him. Jesus said, "You're holding on to me for dear life! Don't be frightened like that. Go tell my brothers that they are to go to Galilee, and that I'll meet them there."

<The Message >

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1. What would it mean to not "hold on to Jesus for dear life"? Might we then follow where he consistently pointed - to GOD? So often we stop with the Jesus we have known rather than travel with Jesus to a new place.

2. What would it mean to not "hold on to Jesus for dear life"? Might we then be freed to have the experience of the presence of GOD directly rather than mediated through the sacrificial atonement model? So often we see Jesus as a limit rather than an open gate.

3. What would it mean to not "hold on to Jesus for dear life"? Might we then be able to better participate in the lives of others and invite them to a journey in the real world instead of pacing within a known cage, no matter how beautifully decorated? So often we use Jesus as a filter or governor on our relationships, only being able to go so fast or or far with someone.

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