Year A
Easter
Resurrection of the Lord
Contextual Background:
At dawn, Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary” find the tomb empty. An angel announces resurrection: “He is not here; he has been raised.” They are told to go and tell the disciples. On the way, Jesus meets them: “Do not be afraid.”
Within the Jewish Tradition:
Resurrection hope grew among Pharisees and in apocalyptic writings as God’s final vindication of the righteous. For Matthew’s audience, resurrection meant God’s justice breaking into the present.
The Challenge Then:
The challenge was to believe that Rome’s execution was not the last word. They crucified about 10,000 people per year. They used the cross as state sponsored terrorism. God vindicated Jesus and empowered the disciples to continue his mission.
The Challenge Now:
Our culture proclaims that death, violence, and domination have the final word. Easter proclaims otherwise: God rejects empire’s false claims and frees us to live as resurrection people.
Implications for Leaders & Communities:
- Leaders: proclaim resurrection as God’s “no” to domination and “yes” to Jesus’ way.
- Communities: embody resurrection through joy, courage, and restoration.
What I Am Learning:
Resurrection is both vindication of Jesus and liberation for us.
The Question I’m Sitting With:
How do I live each day as though death does not have the final word?
