Sermon for the Vigil of Easter
John 20:1-18
The Gospels all tell us that a group of women went to Jesus’ tomb very early on Sunday morning to attend to His hastily-wrapped body which was put to rest just as the sun was setting on Friday. But it’s St. John who focuses on Mary Magdalene. She got there, bright and early, with the other women, but as soon as she saw the stone where it shouldn’t have been, it seems that she didn’t go in right away or wait for the other women, but ran back ahead of them to tell Peter and John that Jesus was missing.
She was so upset. So sad. Many women had followed Jesus, believed in Jesus, and served Him faithfully. But Mary’s love for Jesus was special. He had driven demons out of her. He had welcomed her back into God’s family after she had sinfully wandered away from it. Instead of treating her as an outcast, He had loved her as a sister and as a daughter of God. And now, her Lord had suddenly been tortured, falsely condemned, and crucified, and she didn’t understand why. On top of that, His body appeared to have been cruelly stolen from its final resting place. It didn’t even occur to her that the tomb might be empty because the Lord had overcome death.
She wasn’t alone. Jesus’ disciples weren’t expecting an Easter Sunday celebration, either, and they, of all people, should have been, because the Lord had spelled it out for them over and over again. But the Lord didn’t only love Mary and His disciples when they listened well and showed a steadfast, immovable faith. He also loved them when they faltered, and had a plan for meeting them all after He rose from the dead. As He had promised His disciples in the Upper Room, The world will see Me no more. But you will see Me!
Mary ran back to the tomb, this time with Peter and John, who went into the tomb to see for themselves. They found nothing but the grave clothes Jesus had been buried in, neatly arranged on the bed where He had lain—clear evidence that no thieves had snuck in to hurry His body away. Peter left, confused, still in unbelief. John left with hope, believing. But Mary stayed. So upset. So sad. She looked down into the tomb. And there were two men there—angels dressed in pure white, sitting where Jesus had been. Didn’t it seem strange to her? They weren’t there a minute ago when Peter and John went in. Where did they come from? What were they doing there? She’s too upset to think, too sad to hope, so sure that Jesus is still dead.
Woman, why are you weeping? the angels asked. Grief was simply the wrong reaction to this empty tomb. A tomb occupied by a dead Jesus, now that would be cause for weeping. But not this. This empty tomb should cause you to jump for joy.
Woman, why are you weeping?, Jesus asked, standing behind her. Whom are you seeking? She thinks He’s the gardener. The tears and sadness are blinding her to the truth, not allowing her to remember Jesus’ words, not allowing her to hope. But the Good Shepherd calls His sheep by her name, “Mary.” And now she recognizes His voice and His face. And everything is all right again.
She takes hold of Him and doesn’t want to let Him go. But He says, Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ” In other words, I have work still to do before My ascension. And you have a part it in, too. Be the first to go and tell My brothers the good news, that I am alive, and that all is well between them and God.
As the risen Lord Jesus once called out to Mary, through her tears, and made everything all right again, so He now calls out to you in the Gospel. He called you by name in Holy Baptism and now reminds you, He’s no longer in the tomb, and no one took Him away. He defeated death, because He was obedient unto death. He’s no longer in the tomb, and because of that, there’s no reason for Christians to mourn and weep like the world does. He’s no longer in the tomb, and because of that, you won’t be in yours for long, either. He’ll come and speak your name again, after you’ve slept for a while in your tomb. And then all the tears and sorrow will be erased. Believe Mary Magdalene’s story. Believe the apostles and the more than 500 early Christians who all saw Jesus after His resurrection. And join them in announcing to the world that Christ is risen from the dead. And because He lives, all who believe in Him will live together with Him, in glory, and in love, forever. Amen.
