Leaving the tomb ...

Mark 16: 1-8

THEME: Easter.

OBJECT: A large trunk.

SCRIPTURE: After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come; see the place where he lay. Matthew 28:1-6

As all of you can see, I have a great big trunk with me this morning.

How many of you would like to see what is inside? Okay, gather around and I will unlock the trunk and open it so that you can see what is inside. Look! The trunk is empty! When I was a little boy, we would sometimes have special assembly programs at school. One of my favorites was when a magician would come and put on a show. As you may know, in those days, a magician always had a "beautiful assistant." One of my favorite tricks was when the magician would put his beautiful assistant into a trunk like this one. Then he would lock the trunk and tie ropes around it. Then, as we watched with great anticipation, he would untie the ropes, take a key and unlock the trunk and open the lid. As I'm sure you know, when he opened the trunk, it was empty. The magician did not open the trunk so that his assistant could get out of the trunk, he opened the trunk so that we could see that it was empty. Then, to our amazement, his assistant would appear on stage as we clapped and cheered with delight.

On the Sunday morning after Jesus was crucified, two women named Mary went to visit the tomb where Jesus had been buried. When they arrived, there was a great earthquake and an angel came and rolled away the huge stone that had been covering the entrance to Jesus' tomb. He sat on the stone and said to the two women, "Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay." You see, the stone was not rolled away so that Jesus could get out of the grave, it was rolled away so that his followers could go in and see that the tomb was empty. Jesus had risen, just as he said he would! Today we celebrate the fact that the stone was rolled away -- not so Jesus could come out, but so that we could see that he has risen from the grave, and because of his victory over death, we can enter into eternal life with him.

Mark 16:1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him.

2 Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.

3 They were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?"

4 Looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large.

5 Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed.

6 And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him.

7 "But go, tell His disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.'"

8 They went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

This morning we meet with the fact that this tomb is empty. This fact alone could be the sermon, but I feel we should still examine this event closer. The saddest event in all of human history, has now been redeemed. The sins of all of mankind have also been redeemed. Today, we examine the ultimate example of redemption.

When we look at our scripture lesson this morning, we first find that Easter reminds us that events can be redeemed. Just three days ago, humanity committed the ultimate sin. We sent the Lord to the cross. At first glance, it would appear that we have finally done it. We have totally separated ourselves from God. Yet when the Sabbath was over, those same women who were at the cross can be found at the tomb. They arrive to find that the large stone had been rolled away. They quickly leave to tell the others … for on this day, the horrible event had been redeemed.

Second, we must notice that things can be redeemed. In all of human history, many things have separated God from His creation. Adam fell and we lost our closeness with God. With Noah, we find that humanity was given another chance, and the world was flooded. Even on Sinai, Israel chose to build a thing (called the golden calf) and separated from God. Time after time, with one action or another … yes just one more thing, we separate ourselves from God just a little farther. (Pause). Yet with this fact, we must also remember the promise made to Abraham. This promise was that a great nation would come and that one day this nation would once more be reconciled with God. On this day when Christ rose, we are reminded that the reconciliation with God had been accomplished. From this action, the many things we have done, were redeemed.

Finally, Easter reminds us that people can be redeemed. As we have discussed the last six weeks, people can be redeemed. From the disciple who disappoints to the woman who gets greedy for her sons, nothing is beyond God’s redemptive love. As long as we accept Christ, we are free. Free to live a full life. (Pause)

Each year, we meet to remember that Christ did die for our sins, but today Christ is risen and Redemption is here. Redemption is the message of Easter. After reflecting on our own weaknesses and flaws during Lent, we now have this new season to correct these flaws. No matter what we have done, God is still there for us and always willing for us to come home … so much that he will always meet us half-way and take us into his arms. (Pause)

It is with this promise that we once more meet at the Table of Christ. Just last week, several churches in the area participated in a discussion of the Haggadash or the Passover Seder. Two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ met with his disciples in a room and instructed us to remember the gifts given to us each time we partake of this meal. Throughout the history of the church, this has been celebrated on the service of the Lord’s Day with the Eucharist. Today, we too meet at this table which the Lord provided for each of us. If everyone would please join we me this morning as we read the Great Thanksgiving. (Open Insert)

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING (EASTER)

As they would have done in the room that night and as the church likewise did for years, we use today the bread and the cup. As you come forward this morning, take a piece of bread and then dip the bread into the cup. You can then return to your seat until the closing hymn