Meditation 270
Luke 24: 36b-48
The moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, Rev Amanda Currie, wrote an Easter letter to bring both challenge and comfort to believers. She reflected on the experience of the women who found Jesus’ tomb empty as the story is told in Mark’s gospel. Quoting D. Cameron Murchison, she writes “that dealing with death is complex. While grief is in the forefront, “other, less mentionable feelings swirl through the experience as well—relief, to name one. For the things that lead to death frequently place heavy burdens on those who only stand and wait… As deeply as grief may go, certain gains accompany the loss that death brings. Though we are generally disinclined to publicize it, we are often relieved as well as grieved when death comes.” *
Those early followers of Jesus who were expecting to perform one last act of love and friendship as they anointed his dead body may also have been thinking that now that Jesus was no longer with them that the danger would dissipate. They may have been thinking that now the expectations that Jesus had that they feed the hungry, give to the poor, allow the last to be first, and take up their crosses, might be lifted. Murchison writes that perhaps, “They had approached the tomb with a reverent grief, masking a deep relief that they were no longer burdened with the challenge of costly discipleship. They had begun to see the gain in the loss, only to be upended by the announcement: ‘He is not here…he is going ahead of you to Galilee.’” *
The women are to learn that not only is Jesus alive, but so are the expectations of being a disciple of Jesus. The followers of Jesus would have opportunities to meet the risen Jesus after Easter morning, as he appeared to them and gave messages of peace and of being sent to do his work.
As Ted Dodd wrote
“Christ who said, ‘Peace be with you.’
Grant us stillness of spirit.
Jesus who said, ‘As I was sent, so send I you.’
Send us out in compassion, courage and justice making.
Holy One who said, ‘Do not doubt but believe.’
May we be your hands and feet in this weary world. (DIAKONIA monthly prayer, April 2021)
Like the women who were at Jesus’ tomb on the first Easer morning, we may be hoping for a reprieve. We may be a bit thankful for events and meetings that have been cancelled as we handle the challenge and grief of pandemic living. Into all of this the resurrected Jesus comes to us and clothes us with power from on high. We may be the hands and feet of Jesus in our weary world, and there are times that Jesus will send others to be his hands and feet to us.
*Quotations are from “Easter Message from the Moderator” written by Rev. Amanda Curry in which she quotes avid L. Barrett and Barbara Brown Taylor, eds., Feasting on the Word: Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary, Year B, Volume 2, (Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 2008), pages 252 and 254.