There is something very magical about early morning. The silence is only broken by a few birds chirping away at each other, probably mama saying to papa, “So, where are the bugs for the babes?” The air is thick with dew and when the day is a bit cool the ground fog swirls at ones feet and it feels like Narnia. As the sun rises the awe in my heart rises and I put myself at the tomb and sense that Mary Magdalene is there with me. Perhaps even Martha and her sister Mary came too and, who knows maybe even Jesus’ mother, Mary, is at my right elbow. All of us peering in at an empty tomb.
Our hearts fill with fear, heart stopping, real fear. The body is gone. Someone must have stolen the body of our dear, sweet Jesus. Wasn’t it enough that he was crucified and killed in the most vicious manner, stripped of even his clothing. Stark naked hanging there, suffering, like some common criminal. Now they have stolen his body. We can’t even dress and anoint him for a proper burial. We cry an ocean of tears. Even the morning beauty cannot calm the fear and dread we have in our hearts.
And then, the bountiful, magical, joy of Easter morning. Jesus is with us, full of glory, and smiling that strong, broad grin of his. Our own faces spread into laughter as the tears turn into happiness. He isn’t gone! He lives. We rush to give him our hugs and kisses. “Don’t touch me,” he says. We draw back. He smiles wider.
“I have not reached my full glory,” he says. “But, see, I live.” “I now live in another realm where my father, my God, lives.” “Do not mourn for me, rejoice that you also will someday join me in this place of spiritual bliss.” We stare in awe, trying to grasp what is happening. Longing to understand. Wondering if it is all true, or just a dream. Are we mad? Is this real?
Our beloved Jesus tells us to go and tell the others, our brothers and sisters off in the city mourning the loss of our rabbi and teacher. We rush off, full of the good news. Good news that even to this day, we spread to all who will listen and all who will believe. Easter morning – rise up, rejoice, and be filled with joy and happiness and hope! Happy Easter we say, happy indeed!