The Story of Easter

Back in 2008 I was serving as an associate pastor at Killearn UMC, in Tallahassee. Because of my role, as an associate, it had been several years since I had preached an Easter morning sermon (Lead pastors do not like to give up Easter Morning sermons). Well on that particular year I got a call from our lead pastor, Bob, on Friday that he was having a voice problem and he wanted to let me know. He had an appointment with the doctor and was sure he would be preaching, but just wanted to keep me in the loop.  Saturday at noon he called again, and in almost a whisper, let me know that his voice was getting worst, but he was still pretty sure he would be preaching. On Saturday at 6:00 pm his wife, Katherine, called to let me know that Bob had totally lost his voice and would not be preaching the next morning. I remember praying for Bob and then working hard into the night to refine the sermon I had started playing with on Friday. While I loved preaching on that Easter morning, I felt so sorry for my lead pastor and friend, Bob, who was present at church, and with joy sat quietly all morning! For some reason I feel like I understand Bob’s predicament this year. I still have a voice (Praise God) but everything else has gone out the window. 

As I prepare for this Easter weekend, I am reminded that this is a time to focus on our hope for today and for our future, who is Jesus Christ. Whatever happens in our age and within our lives is secondary to the hope that we have in Jesus. All we can do as disciples is to choose to follow Christ every day. 

I invite you to watch the short video, read the scripture and reflect on the questions below, as you prepare for our Easter celebrations this weekend. 

Scripture Reading:

Matthew 28:1-10

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was 

dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went 

out to visit the tomb. Suddenly there was a great 

earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from

  heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. His face 

shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as 

snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, 

and they fell into a dead faint.

Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!”

  he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was

  crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as

  he said would happen. 

Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go 

quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the 

dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You 

will see him there. Remember what I have told 

you.”The women ran quickly from the tomb. They 

were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and 

they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. 

And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. 

And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped 

him. Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell 

my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me

  there.”

Reflection Questions:

1. In the Matthew story of the resurrection two groups of people are focused on––the guards and the women. Describe how each of the groups reacted to the events that unfolded before them. What made the two groups react in different ways?
2. Put yourself in the place of the women. What caused the women to be filled with joy?
3. When Jesus comes to the women he instructs them to tell the disciples to leave for Galilee. Why do you think Jesus called them back to Galilee to meet with them?