The Resurrection of Jesus
Easter Vigil 2005
Bishop Claude Miller
Christ Church Cathedral
Fredericton
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.’
Matthew 28:5-7
Few of us would remember the name Nikolai Ivanovich Bukharin (pronounced Boo - Karen). During his day he was as powerful a man as there was on earth. As a Russian Communist leader he took part in the Bolshevik Revolution 1917, he was editor of the Soviet newspaper Pravda (which by the way means truth), and was a full member of the Politburo.
His works on economics and political science are still read today. There is a story told about a journey he took from Moscow to Kiev in 1930 to address a huge assembly on the subject of atheism. Addressing the crowd he aimed his heavy artillery at Christianity –– hurling insult, argument, and proof against it.
An hour later he was finished. He looked out at what seemed to be the smouldering ashes of people’s faith. "Are there any questions?" Bukharin demanded. Deafening silence filled the auditorium but then one man approached the platform and mounted the lectern standing near the communist leader. He surveyed the crowd first to the left then to the right. Finally he shouted the ancient greeting known well in the Russian Orthodox Church: "CHRIST IS RISEN!" En masse the crowd arose as one person and the response came crashing like the sound of thunder: "HE IS RISEN INDEED, ALLELUIA!!
This past week, Holy Week, has been an incredible time in the life of the Church. It was filled with dark hours as we walked with Jesus to the Cross on Calvary. The setting for worship grew stark as we approached Good Friday. On Good Friday, as the intensity grew, we may have entered the drama as it unfolded. We may have been a curious bystander looking on, a relative of Jesus perhaps, or one of the confused disciples, denying that this could happen, and when questioned as to our relationship to him, denying that we ever knew him. How can we ever imagine how Jesus felt on that day that would mark world history forever.
The Gospel of Luke records that it was about the sixth hour: and there was a darkness over all the land until the ninth hour, and the sun’s light was failing; and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And Jesus gave up his spirit as he breathed his last.
And as recorded in the Gospel of Mark, a remarkable thing happens. There, at the the foot of the cross, a centurion was standing guard and watching with the awe struck crowd the climax of this incredible event, declares “Truly this man was the Son of God.”
We expect that Nikolai Bukharin’s speech refuted the truth of the centurion’s proclamation. But in gathering this day we affirm with great joy the truth of the Gospel by the person who seized the stage with the words “Christ is Risen.” He is Risen Indeed, alleluia.
It is Easter, and at Easter we enter into the story of God’s eternal saving grace for this fallen world. Contrary to the world view of so many in these early years of the 21st century, we know that the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the story of how God proves to us the depth of his love for the whole creation –– “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. John 3:16 (NRSV)
This is the hope of the believer. To accept this truth in faith requires a lifelong prayerful dialogue that began, for most of us, at our baptism. We continue to pray that we be delivered from the way of sin and death; that our hearts be opened to God’s grace and truth; that we be filled with God’s holy and life giving spirit; that we might love one another; that we might, with courage, go into the world as a witness to God’s unfailing love; and, that in the end we might know the fullness of God’s peace and glory. This is our hope in the resurrected life.
Every time we gather to worship is a witnesses to the desire we have to enter into the eternal life assured by Christ’s death and resurrection. It would be wonderful if we fully understood what is meant by “eternal life in Christ”. My limited understanding is this: to be confident that God was, is and will be forever present in my life, even after my death. God created us, he loves us and he never leaves us.
As we journey along life’s pathway we will meet challenges to the sanctuary of God’s presence. We may feel that way today. Perhaps our faith is being tested like the people of old. The world and the devil will cause us to doubt. Changes in world view by the culture will cause us to question our foundational values. New thinking will make us feel that we are out of touch with our family, friends and others. We might even question the existence of God, leaving that most important relationship in tatters. At such times our prayer ought to be for the grace of courage to persevere and to remember God’s promise.
Scripture records the story of God’s unfailing love and it is demonstrated in countless ways with incredible narratives. We hold fast to the story of Abraham and Isaac; and the story of the deliverance of God’s people from the hands of the Pharaoh. These stories are but two precursors to the sacrifice and deliverance of our Lord’s passion and resurrection. This is our joy and thanksgiving this day.
God and his love never leaves us even when the days of our lives seem bleak. Whether we sit at the base of the Cross, whether we are under religious persecution, whether we feel hopeless given our personal circumstance –– God, with his love, is ever present. The story of Easter, this astonishing day in our lives, is truly a celebration of hope.
Mary’s despair and grief turned to hope at the empty tomb. We know the story of how our darkness is turned to light, our sadness is turned to joy, by Mary’s visit to the empty tomb. She responded to the angel’s command: “… 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 …”
The angels command to Mary is also a command to each one of us: “go quickly and tell.” The world we live in today needs to hear this good news. Christian persecution did not begin or end decades ago in Russia, it continues in our culture even as we speak. “Do not be afraid … ” walk with the risen Christ and show God’s never ending love to this broken world.
Saint John Chrysostom wrote of Easter morning in the early fifth century:
“Is there anyone who is a devout lover of God? Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival! Is there anyone who is a grateful servant? Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!”
Go quickly and tell –– Christ is Risen - He is Risen indeed, Alleluia!