Mary, Why Are You Here?

24 April 2011

Today marked my first “official” Easter in Dar.  Last year, I was at a teaching conference in Kenya (and oh, it was SO lovely and cool!)

Look, a BLANKET!!!

Today, though, I got up for an early-morning sunrise service over the Indian Ocean to celebrate Jesus' Resurrection.  And I was reminded again of the beauty – of God’s Creation, of people from all nations worshiping together in one place, and of the ultimate gift that God gave us: His son, on the cross, conquering death once and for all. 

The Indian Ocean just outside the bar, which serves as a church on Sunday mornings!

As we read through Luke 24 during the service, one thing really jumped out at me.  In verses 5-8, the angel tells Mary Magdalene,

“Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while He was still with you in Galilee: ‘The son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’  Then they remembered His words."

“Why do you look for the living among the dead?”  

I love this question.  Think about it.  There’s not a hint of a doubt in it, or an “I’m glad you came, I have some special news to tell you…”  Instead, it’s emphatic.  Matter of fact.  ‘Obviously, Jesus is resurrected.  No questions asked.  He’s told you this a hundred times, the Scriptures point to it throughout the Old Testament, He told you earlier this week, and now it’s happened.  I’m surprised you’re even be looking for the dead body of Jesus in a tomb right now!’

In Mark, it says the angels precluded their statements with a "Do Not Be Alarmed!"  (Always a good idea when you're an angel described as a young man wearing a white robe, gleaming like lightening, and standing before an empty tomb!)  But I do love the tone that this question holds.  The tone that there’s no doubt of what happened.

In the midst of many clashing cultures and religious views, this is actually a really important question.  From what I understand, many Muslims believe that Jesus never died on the cross… he passed out and then got back up later.  He never died, so he never had need to rise again.  The Jews circulated the rumor at the time of Christ that Jesus’ body had been stolen by His disciples (Mat 28:11-15).  And as believers, I wonder just how convinced we are… how convinced I am… of Jesus’ resurrection in my everyday life.

In the midst of a “do what you want, live for today, anything goes” world-wide cultural perspective, I wonder if I would be so bold to question those around me with a “why are you looking for a dead Jesus in a tomb?  He is RISEN!!!”  Am I so convinced that “if anyone is in Christ, that the old has gone, the new has come…?” (2 Cir 5:17). Do I live fully in the freedom of that in my daily life?  Do I really live like God has "reconciled the world – and me – to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them… because God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God”? (2 Cor 5:19, 21).

As I listen to refrains of Swahili hymns waft through my bedroom window from a local church, and lay down for my early/mid-morning nap after church :)… I’m curious whether you’re hunting for eggs, eating chocolate, making breakfast for family or friends, or sitting at your own sunrise service (MANY hours after ours, of course!).  Regardless, I hope this day is a joyful celebration for you.

Heri ya Pasaka, wote!  (Happy Easter, all!)