Not What We Had Expected!

Easter, the Sunday of Resurrection, is the centrality of the Christian faith.  This event is that which differentiates us from other belief-systems.  The resurrection of Jesus calls us to new levels of thinner air, where our credulity and acceptance of Mystery approach naivete.  Nearly all of those around us reject the story as “anti-scientific” –like Thomas, they need physical evidence.  All we can do is let the scripture tell the story.

The reading from Isaiah (25:6-9) is apocalyptic: the “mountain” is that high-place of destiny for “all peoples” where an exotic banquet has been prepared.  AND the shroud of death will be removed, the Lord of hosts “will swallow up death forever”. This is an amazing step beyond the often-noted exclusiveness of the House of Israel!  Here is an acknowledgement of an ultimate realization that humanity is an idea in the mind of God, in the process of unfolding.  This goes far past a prevalent idea of reward for Being Good; tears will be wiped from ALL faces.  This is far more than we had expected!

Acts 10:34-43 should be prefaced with the reminder that Peter was speaking to the household of Cornelius, a seeker who was a Gentile officer in the Roman army.  Peter had just had a vision of  “clean & unclean” critters, accompanied by a Voice telling him that God never made anything to be unclean, not even those –shudder!– Gentiles.  What follows is a very condensed synopsis of Jesus’ ministry, featuring his death & resurrection, but no Christology as such.  According to Peter, “all the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

The Gospel is that of John’s account found in 20:1-18.  Mary Magdalene came to the tomb expecting to find it as she had left it–but it wasn’t.  Then Peter & John bumbled their way to the tomb, checked it out–and went home!  “Well, I didn’t know WHAT to expect.”  Faithful Mary hung around, though, met some angels and even Jesus!  Mary was still in corpse-mode, and didn’t expect the Risen Christ.  Well, would you?  Do you?

I’m interested in scientific discoveries, and delight to see new incidences of Creation unveiled daily.  Yet we who’ve been spawned by the Age of Reason have often tried to explain away what needs to remain a Good Mystery.  Easter is one of those occasions when churches are full of those desperate to hear a word of God’s love amid the noisy gears of the cosmos.  Will they return to their homes with a secret smile, happily thinking, “Well, that’s not what we had expected!”?

God Bless Us, Every One                         Horace Brown King

My thoughts about scripture lessons assigned to the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at this spot on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com