This past winter, I attended a theological conference with other ELCA pastors from the Rocky Mountain synod. As we gathered for worship one night, we were told that one of the pastors present had just found out that his father had died and we were asked to pray for him. After the announcement, the bishop and other pastors leading worship began with the confession and forgiveness and procession to the front of the church.
     At that point, Bishop Allan was supposed to give the greeting and pray the prayer of the day, but he surprised us all as he started walking to the back of the church, shouting, "He is Risen! "What was he doing?", I wondered, while some people actually had the presence of mind to respond, "He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!" "He is risen!", Bishop Allan said again. By this time, he was in the back of the church, stopped in front of a man who had come in late. And he was speaking those words directly to him. I got it then, and joined in on the response, this time with the voices of everyone gathered. "He is risen, indeed! Hallelujah!"
     You see, the man who just found out his father had died, had snuck in late to worship. From the front of the church, Bishop Allan saw him and was moved to give him a word. And what better word than this proclamation of Easter? Jesus is risen! Death has no power over Him. And therefore death has no power over your father or any one you love who has died.
     This is one of the most powerful moments I've ever had in a worship service. In that moment, this proclamation became more than a generic Easter greeting. As Bishop Allan spoke directly to that grieving son, the message was "He is risen!" But, it was more, too. The message was also that God is in control. And that Jesus is very near.
     We get that same message in the Gospel reading for this Easter Sunday. There's an earthquake. An angel of the Lord descends, rolls back the stone and sits upon it, in a triumphant act of victory. The angel's presence strikes the men guarding the tomb and their fear paralyzes them. But for the women, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, it is different. Their fear is mixed with joy at the angel's presence, allowing them to run and tell Jesus' disciples the Easter message. Jesus is risen and God is in control. And not only that, Jesus is very near.
     Not able to hold himself back, he meets the two Mary's on their way. Coming close enough to them for the women to be able to hold on to his feet. Coming close enough to them for the women to worship him. Coming close enough to them for the women to hear him repeat the message of the angel that he would meet his disciples in Galilee.
     It's Easter. It's a different day than Palm Sunday when our voices united in shouts of "Crucify him!" When the choir sang about the "King of Tears". Today, our voices exclaim together, "He is risen! He is risen, indeed! Hallelujah!" Today, the choir sings and praises the "God of Resurrection." It's Easter. It's a different day than Maundy Thursday when we heard of Judas' betrayal and were convicted that we, too, are just as guilty of that sin or any multitude of others.
     Today, we are assured of God's forgiveness. We received it in the confession of sins at the beginning of the service. We'll be reminded of it again soon as we receive Jesus' body and blood at Holy Communion. It's Easter. It's a different day than Good Friday when it seemed like death had the last word. When it seemed like maybe we had lost Jesus forever. Today, God's power has overcome death forever. God is in control. And Jesus is not only risen, but He is very near.
     In preparing for this sermon today, I ran across this thought and it really struck me. "Easter isn't something that happened. Easter is something that happens." In other words, "Easter is not just a one time event. Easter is an event that happens over and over again." Easter happens every time we experience new life. Easter happens every time our life is transformed in any way - big or small. Easter happens every time reconciliation occurs. Easter happens every time, in the midst of suffering, we give control over to God. Easter happens every time we let go of part of a painful past and focus our eyes on the future. Easter happens every time a loved one dies and we are filled with hope in the midst of our grief because of our faith. Easter is an event that happens over and over again.
     This was also what Bishop Allan was saying to that pastor whose father had just died. "He is risen! God is in control! Jesus is very near! Resurrection and new life is not something reserved only for Jesus, but for all of God's children!"
     He is risen! It's not just a generic Easter proclamation. Words we use just to fill space. It's a word for each of you. No matter what you're dealing with right now in your life. It's a word telling you that God is in control. That Jesus is very near.
     You, who feel bound by something that happened in your past - He is risen. You, who suffer today in mind, body or spirit - He is risen. You, who worry about your children or grandchildren - He is risen. You, who are full of fear about a future that is unknown - He is risen. He is risen. God is in control. And Jesus is near. This is God's good news for you this day and every day. Amen


Quotes by others:

     Humanity has wielded it's power this past week in our spiritual lives - our spiritual journeys. Humanity took control. And it wasn't pretty. Last Sunday, our voices shouted, "Crucify him!" as we read the passion narrative. Last Sunday, the choir sang of Jesus - the King of Tears.

This day is not about bunnies, springtime and girls in cute new dresses. It's about more hope than we can handle. ! Barnes

Easter never happened.....Easter always happens.

We cannot nail Him down. We tried once but he got loose. B. B. Taylor

On the cross, the world did all it could to Jesus. At Easter, God did all God could to the world. And the earth shook.
The angel plopped himself down on the stone in one final act of impudent defiance of death, and the soldiers and all that, and said to the women, "Don't be afraid. You're looking for Jesus? He isn't here."
Then that angel turned to the soldiers and said, "Be afraid. Everything your world is built on is being shaken." William Willimon

He is risen! God is in control! Jesus is near!
Happy Easter!
Love, your Elim Family

He is risen! God is in control! Jesus is near!
Happy Easter!
Love, your Elim Family

He is risen! God is in control! Jesus is near!
Happy Easter!
Love, your Elim Family

He is risen! God is in control! Jesus is near!
Happy Easter!
Love, your Elim Family

He is risen! God is in control! Jesus is near!
Happy Easter!
Love, your Elim Family

He is risen! God is in control! Jesus is near!
Happy Easter!
Love, your Elim Family

He is risen! God is in control! Jesus is near!
Happy Easter!
Love, your Elim Family

He is risen! God is in control! Jesus is near!
Happy Easter!
Love, your Elim Family

He is risen! God is in control! Jesus is near!
Happy Easter!
Love, your Elim Family

He is risen! God is in control! Jesus is near!
Happy Easter!
Love, your Elim Family