Why Are You Looking For the Living Among the Dead?

Easter

Watchword for the Week — 

Why do you look for the living among the dead? Jesus is not here, but has risen. Luke 24:5

 Sunday, March 27 — Acts 10:34–43; Psalm 118:1–2,14–24; 1Cor 15:19–26; Luke 24:1–12

           There is nothing remarkable about the way Easter Sunday begins.  Early on that first day, before the sun had yet risen, was the least remarkable day in the collective memories of the people.  It was the least remarkable day in at least 35 years.  The world had fallen back to its normal modus operandi:  injustice flowed out of the courts; corruption abounded from the soldiers to the tax collectors; the mighty once again sat comfortably upon their thrones with the lowly ones restored to foot-stool status.  Death ran amuck – the bully ruling the playground, with sickness and despair serving as henchmen.

            No, nothing remarkable about the way Easter Sunday begins.

But, then:  ...Negative space. But, then ... A gaping tomb harmonizing with the empty cross.

            Notice with me, who sees this new reality first.  Notice who first hears the Good News: 

Alleluia, Christ Is Risen!  Christ is risen indeed, Alleluia!

            Disciples, learners, followers of Jesus move towards his “final” resting place through the fog of their anxious grief.  There are no Hosanna’s here – granted, no shouts of crucify him either.  No, there are no Alleluia’s here – only tear-soaked, muffled laments.  “My God, My God, why have you forsaken us!?!”  And yet they come.  Perhaps spurred on by Jesus’ new command to “love one another as I have loved you,” they come to wash his corpse feet and return his body to some semblance of dignity through their humble service.  

             Notice: those who compulsively move through fear and grief into service.  These women, these disciples are first to see new possibility.  They are the first to hear tell of Good News.

            Alleluia, Christ is Risen.  Christ is risen indeed, Alleluia!

            Now, notice with me, those who proclaim this Good News – seemingly too good to be true.  So much so that the 11 won’t be able to believe it later.  There are no angels here, not according to Luke.  Oh sure, their clothes might be glittering white, but they are more earth-bound messengers of what God has done and is doing than winged heavenly chorus.  In fact, many believe that Luke means to call to mind here, not cherubs, but siblings - the newly baptized in his own community of faith.  The dazzling white garments referred to are a reference to the gleaming white robes of our baptisms.

            And, what do they say?  What do these mere-men messengers say to wipe away tears and cast away fear?  “Why do you look for the living among the dead?

            Alleluia, Christ is Risen.  Christ is risen indeed, Alleluia!

            What about you?  Have you heard?  Better yet, have you seen him?  

Have you met the risen Jesus Christ?  Don’t tell me you are struggling to see?  Where have you been looking? … Ahhhhhhh, that’s the problem:

            Why do you look for Jesus among the guiltless?

He is not there.  See, the risen Christ is here, reconciling a guilt-stricken thief

– his co-accused – on death row.

           

            Why do we look for Jesus among the victorious?

            Why do we look for Jesus among the virtuous?
He is not there.  See, the risen Christ is here, cheering on those called losers of little worth.

           

            Why do I look for Jesus among the attractive?

            The able-bodied?

            The acceptable?

He is not there.  See, the risen Christ is here, bringing the reign of God to the marginalized.

           

            Why do you look for Jesus among the wealthy?

            The healthy?

            Why among the majority?

            The mighty?

He is not there.  See, the risen Christ is come here to cast the mighty down from their thrones and uplift the humble of heart.    

           

            Why do we look for Jesus among the strong?

            The successful?

            Among the self-satisfied?
            The celebrated?

            The citizens?

He is not there.  See, the risen Christ is here re-person-ifying the forgotten foreigners.

           

            Why do I look for Jesus among the popular?

            The preening?

            The proud?

            Why do I look for Jesus among the privileged?

            The powerful?

            The profiteers?

He is not there.  See, the risen Christ is here, bestowing robust identity rooted in the love of the Father and Creator of all.

            Why do you look for Jesus among the respected?

            Why do we look for Jesus among the normal?

            Why do I look for Jesus among the right-minded?

            Why do you look for Jesus among the brave?

            Why do we look for Jesus among the dignified?

            Why do I look for Jesus among the independent?

            Why do you look for Jesus among the employed?

He is not there.  See, Jesus – the risen Christ – is here, and he’s far more likely to be hanging out in the unemployment line assuring the uninsurable and calling the unemployable.

            Jesus is alive. Listen, can you hear him calling and consoling? 

“Why do you look for the living among the dead.  I’ve been there, and back.  It’s not so scary.

            Come!  Follow me, and I’ll show you the way from through death to life.”

            Brothers and sisters, today we come serving like those first weakling disciples, in order than we might go out into all the world, singing like those earth-bound messengers clad in white: “Why Do You Look For the Living Among the Dead?  He is not there.  He is risen and He is here!”

Alleluia, Christ is Risen.  Christ is risen indeed, Alleluia.  (x3)  Amen.