April 9, 2012

Mark 16:1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so they could embalm him. (The Message Bible)

The whole sermon yesterday was about not being so concerned with preserving the dead past that you miss the new life of the resurrected Christ. I think I ranted a little (I can do that). A different lesson from the way Mark tells his account would be that these women got to be unexpected heralds of what God was accomplishing simply because they were endeavoring to do the unglamorous but necessary job appropriate to the situation. Even though they were most likely broken hearted following the events of Good Friday they were willing to finish the care for Jesus’ body, a service of love and respect to their Lord. Like the shepherds in the fields at Jesus’ birth, the unlikely and, from the world’s perspective, the undeserving encounter the wonder of God as they go about their everyday business. We never know when or how we may become part of God’s resurrection story for those around us. It is not up to us. The message of Easter is that God brings new life, not us. Let us continue loving acts of faithfulness and trust that God will work with the same grace and power that raised Jesus from the dead. Easter is a season, a way of life. Happy Easter!