Reading is Matthew 28:1-10
This morning’s sermon is brought to you by a tweet, a poem and a mug.
The tweet was a quote from a priest and theologian from America called Fleming Rutledge. She simply said “If it was not for the resurrection of Christ we would never have heard of him”.
The Romans killed many people by crucifixion. There were many revolutionary leaders and teachers in occupied Palestine. But only one was raised by the power of God. Only one was God.
The poem is by someone called Lyle C Rollings III. I am guessing he was American too. It is called The Greatest Man in History:
Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master.
Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.
Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.
He had no army, yet kings feared Him.
He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.
He did not live in a castle, yet they called Him Lord,
He ruled no nations, yet they called Him King,
committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.
He was buried in a tomb yet lives today. Alleluia! That is the good news of Easter.
This morning at the dawn service we proclaimed an ancient Christian hymn called the Exultet. In it we say:
This is the day when Jesus Christ vanquished hell, broke the chains of death and rose triumphant from the grave. This is the day when all who believe in him are freed from sin, restored to grace and holiness and share in the victory of Christ. This is the day that you gave us back what we had lost, beyond our deepest dreams – you made even our sin a happy fault. Alleluia!
Today is the day that the world turns upside down: death turns to life, darkness to light, enmity to love and belonging. Today is the day that we remember that no matter how broken and dark our world, there is hope and healing and life and love in the end.
And so to the mug. It is not my mug but my friend’s. It simply says “It will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end…”
Not everything will be healed in this world. But the Christ who rose from the tomb shows us that there will be another world, another life and another story, one day with Jesus.
Because Alleluia Christ is risen! He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Sermons at St Paul's 