Loving God, you shake us in the midst of our slumber and call us to be transformed by your love.  Renew us by your Spirit this day, and lead us into your abundant life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

            In the gospel of Matthew, both the death and resurrection of Jesus are absolutely earth-shaking events.  An earthquake accompanies the death of Jesus and even breaks open some of the tombs (Mt. 27:51-52), and then today, we hear about the two Mary’s coming to the tomb and being greeted by a “great earthquake” and a descending angel - who obviously doesn’t make a very soft landing (Mt. 28:1-2).  Thus continues the story of the One who turns the world upside down.

         This is happening already in today’s gospel, as the women take central places in the story.  Previously, at the crucifixion of Jesus, they were the only ones who stayed nearby to keep vigil with Jesus.  The twelve, who were all men, are nowhere to be found.  In a culture in which women and children held little to no status or power, this is a remarkable reversal.  Right from the beginning, it is the women who are sent out to share the good news that Jesus has been raised from the dead.  It is also the women who are the first to encounter the risen Jesus.

         In another great reversal, we hear in today’s Psalm about “the stone that the builders rejected” becoming the chief cornerstone (118:22).  This verse is used by the gospel writers to speak about Jesus, who was rejected in his humiliation on the cross but won a great victory over sin and death through that same cross.  It is also a commentary on the place where the crucifixion and burial of Jesus took place, as Golgotha was an abandoned quarry.  Jesus, the stone the builders rejected, became the chief building block for God’s plan of salvation.

         Years later, the apostle Paul seems to write quite a bit about weakness and strength and the power of God.  At one point, Paul learns that God’s power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9), as it is only when he is weak that he is able to see the power of God at work through him.  He also writes about how “God’s weakness is stronger than human strength” (1 Cor. 1:25).  After all, to be nailed to a cross is about as weak and helpless as you can get, and appeared to be a total loss – at least, until Jesus’ victory over death was revealed that Easter morning.

         You may have noticed that when the women leave the tomb, they do so “with fear and great joy” (Mt. 28:8).  Such emotions often accompany life-changing and earth-shaking events – like the birth of a baby, or like falling in love.  Fear and great joy are also part of the response for anybody who first encounters Jesus and realizes who he is and what he has done for us.

         The series The Chosen does a good job of portraying this response to Jesus – especially for the disciples who are married.  Simon has a mixture of fear and great joy when he goes to tell his wife about Jesus and his call to come and follow.  He thinks that his wife will be angry because he will have to be away from home and will abandon his fishing business.  However, to his great relief, his wife, Eden, shares his joy over encountering the promised Messiah and encourages him to follow Jesus.

         At the other end of the spectrum is Nicodemus, who is also called by Jesus to come and follow.  However, in his case, he has a wife who does not approve, and he has children and grandchildren, and he has a comfortable life as a revered teacher of Israel.  In spite of his joy at having encountered the promised Messiah, he cannot bear to lose his current life.  Fear wins out, and he remains a secret follower of Jesus.

         A colleague of mine recently asked on social media, if the Messiah has come, why has the world not been transformed by this?  Why have his followers not been transformed into people who transform the world with love?  Various people responded, one of which admitted to being too comfortable with the things of this world.  He wrote about looking to physical things for security rather than spiritual, and the risks involved in transforming the world with love.  After all, look at what happened to Jesus and to many of his followers!  For this person, fear won out.

         Still, twice in today’s gospel we hear, “Do not be afraid” – spoken by the angel and by the risen Jesus (Mt. 28:5, 10).  After all, it can be scary when earth-shaking events occur – even when it involves resurrection!  It is life-changing and life-transforming when we allow the risen Jesus to be at work – in us, and through us, and among us.  However, sometimes it will involve Jesus – or even an angel – making our plans for us.  And sometimes, our world will get turned upside down.

         Is it worth it, though?  Is forgiveness, and resurrection, and eternal life worth it?  The God who loves us thinks so, and invites us to put our trust where it belongs – in Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

The Resurrection of Our Lord (A)             Matthew 28:1-10

April 9, 2023                                                 Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church

Pastor Lynne Hutchison

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