Jesus’ resurrection is proof of God’s love, forgiveness

Go Big Blue, I think!
April 4, 2012
Kennedy stresses need for job creation in Louisiana
April 4, 2012
Go Big Blue, I think!
April 4, 2012
Kennedy stresses need for job creation in Louisiana
April 4, 2012

People whom we love, admire and believe will change life for the better, often die before their time. If that death is sudden and untimely, our most overwhelming emotion may be that of stunned disbelief. With this dying comes the death of our hopes.


The Easter story is this kind of loss. For the disciples, the one whom they loved, trusted and relied on was gone. In bewilderment and fear of the Jewish authorities, they gathered and asked the question, “What now?”


The women went to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus, but it was gone. They were confronted by an empty tomb, the stone rolled away, and by a dazzling figure who bid them go to the disciples and tell them Christ was risen.

Note that it was a woman who received the message of the incarnation from an angel, and women received the message of the resurrection from an angel. To Mary the angel said, “Fear not.” To these women the message is the same, “Do not be afraid.” Then he adds, “He is risen. He will go before you.”


In awe and great joy they run with the news. Then suddenly, Jesus is there, ahead of them, coming to meet them, with a simple, everyday word, “Greetings.” Then comes the reassurance, “Do not be afraid.” In spite of all that had happened, he was there with them, calming their fears, giving them directions and hope.


“He is risen.” In that short sentence is the reason for our faith. This week we celebrate his gift at the Last Supper. On Good Friday we experience his sacrifice on the cross. On Easter Sunday, the Giver of Life, whom neither sin nor death could destroy, is alive and well and is here for us. We break into song rejoicing for Christ lives.

Pastor Fred Demaray made this point in an Easter sermon when he said, “I have seen the Lord Jesus Christ. He is in his people, in the church. I have seen the Lord in you. I have seen the Lord in those who come to my office seeking help for their difficulties. I have seen the Lord in weak knees struggling to climb our stairs.

“I have seen the Lord in young faces discovering the message of Jesus. I have seen the Lord in those whom age has weakened, who long for God to take them so that they can be present with this Risen Lord in a new and more complete way. I have seen the Lord in those with whom I agree and in those with whom I find myself in disagreement.

“Jesus lives in us. We know him, not in an empty tomb, but in relationship with him, in hearing his voice, and in those who are his own today – his church in whom he lives and moves and has his being.”

The joy of Easter is that God loves us so very much. They nailed Jesus to a cross and put him to death for treason and blasphemy. He stretched out his arms, and in so doing, he embraces you and me in a gesture that tells us very much about the love of God. To stretch out one’s arms is an attitude of including, of forgiving, and of loving.

St. John tells us in plain words, “God is love.” Those who killed Jesus did not have the last word. Jesus forgave them all. Then God raised Jesus from death, proving once and for all that the loving, forgiving power of God is stronger than any other force – stronger than greed, hate or fear. God loves us and will always love us. Praise be to the God of Resurrection and Life!

Have a Blessed Easter!