LIFE-CHANGING GOOD NEWS

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1 LIFE-CHANGING GOOD NEWS The Resurrection of Our Lord; Easter Sunday April 4, 2010 Lessons Acts 10:34-43 or Isaiah 65:17-25 Psalm 118:1-2, (24) 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 or Acts 10:34-43 St. Luke 24:1-12 or St. John 20:1-18 Pastor David J. Risendal drisendal@stplc.org Saint Peter Lutheran Church 9300 East Belleview Avenue Greenwood Village, Colorado voice: 303/ fax: 303/ Prayer of the Day O God, you gave your only Son to suffer death on the cross for our redemption, and by his glorious resurrection you delivered us from the power of death. Make us die every day to sin, that we may live with him forever in the joy of the resurrection, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Sermon Thomas Long from the Candler School of Theology tells the story of a Sunday morning in a certain city church. The Gospel lesson had been read and the Pastor was about to begin the sermon. Suddenly a stranger seated in the balcony stood up and interrupted the service. "I have a word from the Lord!" he shouted. Heads whipped around, and ushers bounded up the balcony stairs like gazelles. They managed to escort the man into the street before he could elaborate further on just what word he had been given. It was an embarrassing moment, but those quick thinking ushers saved the day. Week after week, Pastors in pulpits around the world stand up and say, in effect, the same thing as the man in the balcony: "I have a word from the Lord!" How often do alarms sound? How often is anyone astonished? How often do apprehensive ushers race forward to muscle the preacher into the street? If a sudden unexpected shout erupts from the balcony, the whole place gets set on edge, but

2 The Resurrection of Our Lord; Easter Sunday (April 4, 2010)! 2 when a Pastor starts reading the Gospel for the day, people fold up their bulletins and settle into their thoughts 1 Yet the truth is: we have heard a word from the Lord this morning the same word we hear every Sunday morning and it is an astonishing word. It proclaims that we have a God who is more powerful than death. It proclaims that we have a God who loves us enough to die for us. It proclaims that we have a God who wants to give us an entirely new life. It proclaims that we have a God who promises us life beyond death. And so we cry out: Christ is Risen! (response: Christ is risen indeed! ) Christ is Risen! (response: Christ is risen indeed! ) Christ is Risen! (response: Christ is risen indeed! ) The message of the resurrection proclaims that God is gracing us and gifting us in astonishing ways. This is a word that has the power to turn our lives around every time we hear it. So why doesn t that happen more often? Why do we receive it so casually? How can we sing Alleluia, Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and then return home as if nothing has happened? Practically speaking, of course, our lives can t be turned around every seven days. We d end up not knowing what direction we re pointing. But perhaps it also has to do with the fact that we live in a world we are surrounded by a culture that values other realities as highly as (if not more highly than) the sacred. So many people build their lives around money, or comfort, or luxuries, or pleasures, or entertainment or the like. There is this largely unacknowledged assumption that these realities are what make for a good life. The world s mantra is: the more we make, the more comfortable life is, the more luxurious our possessions and experiences, the more pleasant our days, the more entertained we are, the better life is. Little wonder the proclamation of God s good news has such a mild affect on us. Which (believe it or not) brings us to the angels in this morning s Gospel lesson who speak to the women gathered at the tomb on that first Easter morning. The women are there, of course, because they are good religious people. They know that the Lord s body has been buried in haste, and that it hasn t properly been prepared for burial. So early in the morning they pack up the spices and supplies that they ll need, and make their way to the tomb. But when they arrive, they do not find the tomb to be as they had expected. The stone has been rolled away from the opening. The tomb is empty. Jesus body is gone! They don t know what to think. As a matter of fact, St. Luke tells us that they are perplexed. The Greek word St. Luke uses is τῳ ἀπορει σθαι (a-po-reis-thai). It comes from the word ἀπορέω (apor-e-ow), which literally translated means no way or without a resource. This is such a confusing experience that the women have no "resources" for understanding what has happened. 2 So here are these deeply faithful women, who love Jesus very much, standing around in an empty cemetery, wondering what to make of it all. That is when the men in dazzling clothes ask one of the most important questions in the whole New Testament. They say: Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. (verse 5) Why do you look for the living among the dead? These women have come to the tomb looking for a dead body. But the angels proclaim to them a word of life. He is not here among the dead. He has risen, just as he told them he would. For these women, this proclamation makes all the difference in the world. At first they are overcome by confusion: dejected, confused, perplexed women, standing inside the tomb this place of death wondering what to do next. Now, having received the word of the angels, everything changes. They begin to understand that there is no life in this place of death. Instead, the source of life the Risen Lord Jesus has gone ahead of them. Suddenly they are filled with a strong sense of purpose and meaning and strength. They race back to tell the others. (response: Christ is risen, indeed! ) Well: that s not exactly the response those women received, but what a difference 1 Thomas G. Long, Candler School of Theology. This article appeared in The Christian Century, April 4, 2001, p. 11. Copyright by The Christian Century Foundation; used by permission. Current articles and subscription information can be found at 2! John Petty:

3 The Resurrection of Our Lord; Easter Sunday (April 4, 2010)! 3 this news made in their lives! They had anticipated that the most meaningful aspect of their day would be to follow the religious traditions connected with preparing a body for its final burial. They find that there is something far more meaningful at hand something far more powerful. By raising Jesus from death, God makes a difference for these first century women. Their lives are turned around, and they will never be the same again. They will spend the rest of their days remembering his words, and telling others about him. They will live with a sense of meaning and direction and strength like they ve never experienced before. Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, God makes an incredible difference in the lives of Mary, and Joanna, and Mary, and the other women. God wants to make a difference in our lives, as well. The question for us is this: will we allow it to happen? Or will we let this good news be replaced by other realities in our lives? There are many other interests and involvements that call for our attention and allegiance these days. I ve often told people that for me, there is nothing quite like playing a 24 rainbow trout on the end of a 4x fly line, or nailing a banjo solo on stage in front of a packed house. There is an adrenaline rush that comes from those kinds of experiences, and frankly, I can t get enough of it. For you, maybe it is making a six-figure salary; or having a perfect run down a mogul covered ski hill; or kicking a penalty shot into the upper left corner of the goal; or sticking an 8 iron three inches from the pin; or finishing a great novel; or putting that last letter into the crossword puzzle; or being accepted into the school of your dreams; or making the perfect dinner dish; or growing the largest tomatoes There are times when we experience that adrenaline rush, or sense of pleasure, and can t get enough of it. But we fool ourselves if we imagine that these things are what really matter that these experiences are what make for a good life. We can t get enough of them because, frankly, they aren t enough to fill us. They may be enticing sometimes even addicting but they will always leave us longing for more. When that happens, the words of the angels come to us as well: Why do you look for the living among the dead? Why do you look for meaning and purpose in something that is merely entertaining? Why do you look for value in something that is so fleeting? This morning we ve gathered to celebrate the most astonishing, life-changing news that has ever been announced. We have a God who is more powerful than death. We have a God who loves us enough to die for us. We have a God who wants to give us an entirely new life. We have a God who promises us life beyond death. It is this God who forgives us, and who gives us promises that are eternal. It is this God who relates to the world as a servant, and who invites us to serve the world as well. It is this God who is committed to justice, and who loves kindness, and who calls us to be the same. That is the message that we ve come here to proclaim this morning, so join with me, won t you, one more time: Christ is Risen! (response: Christ is risen indeed! ) Christ is Risen! (response: Christ is risen indeed! ) Christ is Risen! (response: Christ is risen indeed! ) Christ is risen, indeed. Amen. David J. Risendal, Pastor Gospel Lesson; English Text: 3 24:1 On the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in, they did not find the body. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. 5 The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. 6 Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again. 8 Then 3 A list of Bible lessons for the coming weeks is available at

4 The Resurrection of Our Lord; Easter Sunday (April 4, 2010)! 4 they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.another. 4 Gospel Lesson; Greek Text: 24:1 Τη δε µια τω ν σαββάτων ο ρθρου βαθέως ε πι το µνη µα η λθον φέρουσαι α η τοίµασαν αῤώµατα. 2 ευ ρον δε το ν λίθον α ποκεκυλισµένον α πο του µνηµείου, 3 ει σελθου σαι δε ου χ ευ ρον το σω µα του κυρίου Ιἠσου. 4 και ε γένετο ε ν τω α πορει σθαι αυ τα ς περι τούτου και ι δου α νδρες δύο ε πέστησαν αυ ται ς ε ν ε σθη τι α στραπτούση. 5 ε µφόβων δε γενοµένων αυ τω ν και κλινουσω ν τα πρόσωπα ει ς τη ν γη ν ει παν προ ς αυ τάς τί ζητει τε το ν ζω ντα µετα τω ν νεκρω ν 6 ου κ ε στιν ω δε, α λλα η γέρθη. µνήσθητε ω ς ε λάλησεν υ µι ν ε τι ω ν ε ν τη Γαλιλαία 7 λέγων το ν υιὁ ν του α νθρώπου ο τι δει παραδοθη ναι ει ς χει ρας α νθρώπων α µαρτωλω ν και σταυρωθη ναι και τη τρίτη η µέρα α ναστη ναι. 8 και ε µνήσθησαν τω ν ρἡµάτων αυ του. 9 Και υ ποστρέψασαι α πο του µνηµείου α πήγγειλαν ταυ τα πάντα τοι ς ε νδεκα και πα σιν τοι ς λοιποι ς. 10 η σαν δε η Μαγδαληνη Μαρία και Ιὠάννα και Μαρία η Ιἀκώβου και αι λοιπαι συ ν αυ ται ς. ε λεγον προ ς του ς α ποστόλους ταυ τα, 11 και ε φάνησαν ε νώπιον αυ τω ν ω σει λη ρος τα ρ ήµατα ταυ τα, και η πίστουν αυ ται ς. 12 Ο δε Πέτρος α ναστα ς ε δραµεν ε πι το µνηµει ον και παρακύψας βλέπει τα ο θόνια µόνα, και α πη λθεν προ ς εἁυτο ν θαυµάζων το γεγονός. 5 First Lesson; English Text: 10:34 Then Peter began to speak to them: I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ he is Lord of all. 37 That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40 but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. 6 4 St. Luke 24:1-12, New Revised Standard Version Bible ( 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America). 5 St. Luke 24:1-12, The Greek New Testament, Aland, Kurt, Black, Matthew, Martini, Carlo M., Metzger, Bruce M., and Wikgren, Allen, ( 1983, Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft Stuttgart). To display the Greek text correctly, choose Palatino Linotype font. 6 Acts 10:34-43, New Revised Standard Version Bible ( 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America).

5 The Resurrection of Our Lord; Easter Sunday (April 4, 2010)! 5 First Lesson; Greek Text: 10:34 Ἀνοίξας δὲ Πέτρος τὸ στόµα εἶπεν ἐπ ἀληθείας καταλαµβάνοµαι ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν προσωπολήµπτης ὁ θεός, 35 ἀλλ ἐν παντὶ ἔθνει ὁ φοβούµενος αὐτὸν καὶ ἐργαζόµενος δικαιοσύνην δεκτὸς αὐτῷ ἐστιν. 36 τὸν λόγον [ὃν] ἀπέστειλεν τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰσραὴλ εὐαγγελιζόµενος εἰρήνην διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, οὗτος ἐστιν πάντων κύριος, 37 ὑµεῖς οἴδατε τὸ γενόµενον ῥῆµα καθ ὅλης τῆς Ἰουδαίας, ἀρξάµενος ἀπὸ τῆς Γαλιλαίας µετὰ τὸ βάπτισµα ὃ ἐκήρυξεν Ἰωάννης, 38 Ἰησοῦν τὸν ἀπὸ Ναζαρέθ, ὡς ἔχρισεν αὐτὸν ὁ θεὸς πνεύµατι ἁγίῳ καὶ δυνάµει, ὃς διῆλθεν εὐεργετῶν καὶ ἰώµενος πάντας τοὺς καταδυναστευοµένους ὑπὸ τοῦ διαβόλου, ὅτι ὁ θεὸς ἦν µετ αὐτοῦ. 39 καὶ ἡµεῖς µάρτυρες πάντων ὧν ἐποίησεν ἔν τε τῇ χώρᾳ τῶν Ἰουδαίων καὶ [ἐν] Ἰερουσαλήµ. ὃν καὶ ἀνεῖλαν κρεµάσαντες ἐπὶ ξύλου, 40 τοῦτον ὁ θεὸς ἤγειρεν [ἐν] τῇ τρίτῃ ἡµέρᾳ καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτὸν ἐµφανῆ γενέσθαι, 41 οὐ παντὶ τῷ λαῷ, ἀλλὰ µάρτυσιν τοῖς προκεχειροτονηµένοις ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ, ἡµῖν, οἵτινες συνεφάγοµεν καὶ συνεπίοµεν αὐτῷ µετὰ τὸ ἀναστῆναι αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν 42 καὶ παρήγγειλεν ἡµῖν κηρύξαι τῷ λαῷ καὶ διαµαρτύρασθαι ὅτι οὗτος ἐστιν ὁ ὡρισµένος ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ κριτὴς ζώντων καὶ νεκρῶν. 43 τούτῳ πάντες οἱ προφῆται µαρτυροῦσιν ἄφεσιν ἁµαρτιῶν λαβεῖν διὰ τοῦ ὀνόµατος αὐτοῦ πάντα τὸν πιστεύοντα εἰς αὐτόν. 7 7 Acts 10:34-43, The Greek New Testament, Aland, Kurt, Black, Matthew, Martini, Carlo M., Metzger, Bruce M., and Wikgren, Allen, ( 1983, Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft Stuttgart). To display the Greek text correctly, choose Palatino Linotype font.