If I were preaching this week I would be working with the
Gospel reading from John 20:1-18. This
wonder-filled story of Mary finding Jesus in the garden moves with grace to the
heart of the gospel message. I never
tire of reading and retelling this story because the depth of the mystery of
God is right on the surface and ready to be shared.
Easter sermons are unique among sermons. They can be overwhelming for the preacher because
of the workload of the week. Pastors
will most surely be running on fumes by Sunday morning. The sermon which felt so powerfully awesome
on Tuesday can be a difficult fifteen minutes to deliver by Sunday. Therefore, I believe, it is important to prayerfully
prepare with focus on theological basics using your particular communication
strengths.
This is not the day to go long and add the extra story that
is your favorite, or to introduce your personal theological twist. There will be folks listening who only hear a
few sermons a year. Others who hear
every sermon you preach will be listening for something extra on this day of
days.
This is the day to preach our doctrinal standards. If you can find a quiet moment, take a new
look at our Basic Christian Affirmations on page 47 of the 2012 Book of
Discipline. Let these statements of faith
inform your preaching on Easter. “We
hold in communion with all Christians a faith in the mystery of salvation in
and through Jesus Christ.” I say, “Get
out of the way and let the Gospel speak on this day; bring it.”
This passage invites us to consider our surprise and response
at Jesus speaking our name. We come into
the church on Easter with grief, pain, and all forms of discomfort. We come hoping to hear a word which offers
hope and life. We will come to your church
on Easter much like Mary came to the garden. And as we are fed the Gospel
message that Christ is alive, we will not be disappointed. If we can accomplish nothing else, we should
tell this Gospel story with truth and passion in our hearts and voices. To hear
the story changes everything.
I struggle with the idea that the season of Lent is
culminated in Easter and we can now take a rest until Advent. The Good Friday words of, “it is finished,”
were not meant to describe the life in the church following Easter. And yet we
all forget that every Sunday is a little Easter and the Holy Spirit will move
even stronger for a few weeks because of all your good preaching and the good
work of so many faithful church members.
I am praying for your preaching this week and plan to remember each of
you by speaking aloud your name on Easter Sunday. Go with Christ.
