Luke 24:6b-9 (CEB) 

“Remember what he told you while he was still in Galilee, that the Human One must be handed over to sinners, be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” Then they remembered his words. When they returned from the tomb, they reported all these things to the eleven and all the others. 

Recently our local public library hosted an installation of watercolors done over a number of years by two talented artists – who happen to have been a married couple. The husband was one of my professors in college and the wife was someone I studied with as an adult. They both died a few years back and I had not anticipated being able to see any of their work again. But as I wandered through the installation of paintings one afternoon, I began to remember, and I could almost hear the voices of two gifted artists and teachers as they demonstrated techniques and spoke encouraging words to me. The distance of time too often allows us to forget the voices and words of our teachers. But when pricked with a memory, words that we may not originally have understood can suddenly become clear. 

On the morning of Jesus’ resurrection, his disciples were still coming to grips with his death. Mary Magdalene’s news of the empty tomb disturbed and puzzled Peter and John, but when they ran to the tomb to see what Mary was talking about, they were reminded that Jesus had told them before his arrest that he would be turned over to the authorities, crucified, and then rise on the third day. Now, with the empty tomb as evidence, they didn’t understand what had happened, but they recalled his words and hurried back to the other disciples to report what they had seen and heard. 

This year’s Easter celebrations are over now for most people. Leftover Easter eggs and candy may be the only reminders of the day. Yet, it is still Easter.  

Easter is about the promise of an empty tomb that we first know only through the words we have heard or read. We may go through long periods of time when we never think about that promise – or only think of it one day a year. But there may come a time when life seems dark and we suddenly are reminded of a Sunday school teacher, parent, pastor, favorite aunt or uncle, or friend, by some random word or act. And we recall what they have told us about the faith they have in an empty tomb. Faith that the tomb where Jesus’ body was buried on Friday evening was suddenly empty on Sunday morning – and for all the mornings thereafter. Faith that Jesus rose from death to fulfill the promise of God’s absolute and abiding love for all of humankind. An understanding that, because of Easter, we can know joy in the midst of darkness and find peace for a troubled soul. All because Easter is not just one day a year. 

-- Rev. Robbie Fall, retired elder 
Hutchinson

Prayer for Reflection