Easter Sunday – 4th April 2021
I will never forget last Easter
Sunday. There were just 4 of us at Ringwood for that day. We had our organist playing
the organ instead of recorded music. We had a member providing real flowers and
reading the bible readings. And we had a third person who doubled up filming
and reading the prayers And myself.
It was the most difficult service I
have ever had to lead – the most joyous day of the church year – singing all
those beautiful hymns – and apart from the 4 of us – an empty church. Knox
remained closed – completely empty.
Each week I recorded the service to
an empty church. It helped me to understand the emotions that must have faced
Mary as she went to the tomb and did not find Jesus there. She discovered an
empty tomb – in a similar way that I encountered an empty church. But even
though the tomb where Jesus body had been careful placed was empty, Jesus was
present in a much more personal way.
We too have had to understand and
experience Jesus in a different way during these past 12 months. It may have
been by watching YouTube recordings at home on your TV. You may have
participated in a live stream via Zoom You may have watched several different
church services from around Victoria – Australia or even around the world – and
they may not have all been Lutheran services. But what Mary would discover was
that even though the tomb was empty – Jesus was very much present. Likewise,
even though our church buildings remained closed and empty – Jesus was very
much present with us And Mary’s experience reveals to us that Jesus is always
with us and especially in those times when he seems not to be. When he is
speaking with Mary she is so sad because she believes that Jesus is missing –
and that she is speaking with the gardener. And then he becomes very personal
with her and calls her by name – Mary!
Do you ever feel that Jesus is
missing when you need him? Maybe in a time of suffering. Maybe in a time of
confusion or despair. Or maybe in your everyday life where your prayer life or
time with God just seems to struggle and it seems like God is just not there
for you. Easter Sunday reminds us that God is nearer than we realise – as he
was with Mary. Mary thought his body had been taken away to an unknown place
only to discover that Jesus is there with her the entire time. Likewise Jesus
is with you at all times and he calls your name. You don’t have to look for God
– he has come to you.
At Christmas time we heard that
promise when Mary and Joseph were told he would be called Immanuel which means
“God with us”. In 40 day’s time when Jesus ascends to Heaven – it will look
like it again that he is leaving, but he will assure his disciples and you – I
am with you always till the end of the age. Last Easter Sunday was really
difficult for me and I’m sure it was for everyone wondering where is God when
our churches are shut. But remember, it was only the church buildings that were
shut. God was with you in your lounge rooms – maybe not in your Sunday best but
maybe still in your PJs – or maybe you watched the service the next day.
Easter Sunday means that Jesus is
with us ALWAYS till the end of the age. And he knows your name just as he knew
Mary’s name even though she did not recognise him. But the most glorious news
of Easter Sunday is that Jesus promised that he is with us always until the end
of the age – but when that end of the age comes it doesn’t mean that Jesus
won’t be with us – no, Easter Sunday means that when the end of the age comes
we will be with Jesus in Heaven – not till the end of the age because in Heaven
life is eternal. And that’s what Jesus has won for us as he rose from the dead
and just as Jesus rose from the dead so shall we.
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