Easter Is A Marathon, Not A Sprint

REFLECTIONS
April 4, 2010

The most popular Easter narrative is John: 20:1-18. It finds Mary Magdalene at the burial ground of Jesus. Finding the stone rolled away and presuming the tomb empty she seeks out Simon Peter and John, the “beloved disciple.” They literally run to the tomb and on the evidence of the burial cloths being left behind, believe Jesus has risen. Mary comes back to the tomb enters and sees two angels, but not Jesus, they speak to her but she does not understand. Finally, Jesus speaks to her but she mistakes him for the gardener. It is when he calls her by name that she recognizes him. In some measure and means the story of Easter is the willingness to see the power of salvation, then having the heart to share the story. In the book of Acts, Peter is recorded saying some things which illustrate. “Peter opened his mouth saying; ‘Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who knows their need of God and does what is right, is acceptable to God.’” Peter then goes on to tell an abbreviated version of the temptation and passion of Jesus, reminding his listeners that he was among the first to see Jesus post Easter. It was then that Peter and those gathered with him experienced the Holy Spirit. For Peter the linking of the stories is essential. The gift of the Spirit is a direct result of the Passion.

Part of the question we as moderns must ask is, what do we believe and where do we see evidence to support our thought? What are our resurrection stories? Better still, where do we find ourselves in need of resurrection? The greater message of Easter is not found on a cross or in a tomb, but rather in how we respond to the way of the Master. Do we follow Jesus or just empathize with the story? The call, of course, is to get involved. Tom Waits is a unique singer songwriter. His voice is very rough and at times his message equally so. On an album for which he won a Grammy he utters the words to an L. C. M. (my abbreviation not his, standing for Last Christian Martyr) “You gotta get behind the mule if you want to plow,” then at a particular point he says to the offender “come down from the cross, because we need the wood.” To me this means our participation in Easter is to speak of the Good News we have known and seen. To share the wonder we have found in a relationship with Jesus. An L. C. M. prefers the must of the tomb or the comfort of the cross to getting behind the mule, literally the word and work of Jesus. I don’t know about you but the mule looks more interesting.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601