When we read the resurrection
story in the gospels, we need to remember that the stone was rolled away, not
to let Jesus out of the tomb, but to let the people in. (Matthew 28; Mark 16;
Luke 24; John 20) His departure from death was not to be kept hidden in the
back side of some cemetery. People were to know of this event, those who saw
the empty tomb and those whom they told. The resurrection was never intended to
be kept a secret!
Easter, Resurrection Sunday,
is only a few days away. The event and its meaning were not and should not be
kept a secret. Closet believers offer little to the work and progress of the
Kingdom of God in this world. Without the resurrection we have nothing to offer
the world unique from some humanitarian and philanthropic spirit. The
resurrection separates Christian believers from the rest of the attempts by man
to offer spiritual meaning to our existence.
During this season groups of
believers will emphasize the love of Christ, the commitment of Christ, the
suffering of Christ, and the power of the Father to conquer death and bring the
Son out of its grasp. We will do it through personal and corporate times of
prayer, self-denial, retelling the story of the events of Holy Week, and
worship. We will do it with fellow believers and hopefully with those who do
not believe but want to know why we believe as we do.
When the women came to the
tomb, now empty, on that first day of the week, they were given a message, “Go
and tell”. That command is still relevant today. The message of the empty tomb
is to be spread to the ends of the earth. It is not to be kept a secret!
During this season the
western world especially will see images of rabbits, ducklings, eggs, and baskets.
Just maybe a few crosses and lambs will be visible. The people who emphasize
those former items will probably know very little of the empty tomb. They will
know few details about the Lamb of God that died upon a Roman cross, abandoned
by his Father, to carry the sins of the world. The people who do not believe
will not know about the promise of the resurrection unless someone goes to them
and tells the Story.
Recently the leadership of
the Roman Catholic Church went into conclave to choose a new leader. Today we
know that leader as Pope Francis I. This leader replaces the recently retired
Pope Benedict XVI. The new pope will serve for a while and then he too will be
replaced. The One who came out of the tomb lives on and will never be replaced.
This news cannot be kept a secret.
Each believer should seize
the opportunity to share the good news Jesus is alive. Each believer should be
ready to go and tell. Maybe it will be a simple invitation to come to a church
service where the resurrection is celebrated. Maybe it will be offering a tract
explaining the resurrection story. Maybe it will be sharing one’s personal
story of why the resurrection has eternal importance.
Every congregation must claim
its responsibility to “go and tell”. Easter dramas and cantatas are reminders
for the faithful, but they are also opportunities for proclamation to those who
do not believe. Resurrection Sunday offers one of the best contexts in which to
tell the Story to those who need to hear it. People will come if they receive
an invitation from those whom they know.
The stone in front of the
tomb was rolled away for the benefit of those who needed to know. Our churches
must throw their doors open for the benefit of those who need to know. Don’t
keep it a secret. Go and tell!
