Sermon - Easter Sunrise

April 24, 2011
Matthew 28:1-10

A few years ago I said something to my colleagues. I told them how much I loved the Easter Sunrise Service, that I ready didn’t mind getting up extra early on Easter morning, in order to gather outside for worship.

That is what I said to the other pastors at University Lutheran. And ever since I spoke those words, whenever the issue comes up as to who is to preach at the sunrise service, I am reminded of what I said. It is not that Larry and Danielle look for reasons not to be the preacher. I think it has more to do with testing me, to see if I really do enjoy Easter Sunrise enough to not only get up at this hour, but be ready to preach. Nor do I think they are trying to shame me or poke fun at me. It has more to do with an underlying doubt that anyone would really “enjoy” getting up this early and be ready to take a role in worship.

I do enjoy Easter Sunrise services. Unlike any other worship service, they carry me back to the roots of my faith; they affirm for me the certainty of the Resurrection. There – I have said it again. And as many of you who choose to do so can remind me that I said it. And, should there come an Easter morning when you don’t see me at this early morning gathering, you are more than welcome to call me and ask me why my actions displayed such a flagrant disregard for my words.
Saying something doesn’t make that something true. Truth stands on its own. But speaking the truth commits us to the truth and forms a covenant between us and the truth which we have spoken.

Twice, in this morning’s Gospel lesson, the witnesses are told, “Go and tell.”
“Go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead.”
These instructions are more than filler. They do more than expand the reading. They are the verses which complete the Easter morning story.

The story isn’t over until the witnesses “Go and tell.”

There is no way to miss the importance of this – they are given these instructions twice. First, by the Angel whose appearance was like "lightning, and … clothing white as snow". It is in Matthew’s account that witnesses see the arrival of this angel. Other accounts simply tell us that they found the stone rolled away from the entrance. In Matthew, they are present when the earthquake occurs and the stone is rolled away. The angel arrives, rolls away the stone, sits on it and says to them, “Go and tell.”

The second time these instructions are given, it is Jesus himself who speaks. The witnesses have departed from the empty tomb. As they are going in order to tell, Jesus intercepts their path. Forgetting for the moment their mission, they take hold of him. I think we can all imagine the firmness of that grip. Can’t we understand how forcefully they would cling to him.

That is what we are most tempted to do – isn’t it? Forget our mission and cling to Jesus. Set aside the instructions to “Go and Tell,” and just remain there, clinging to Christ.

And we can be sure that Jesus felt the urgency of their arms as they embraced the one whom they loved. He had to have been able to sense the desperation within their hearts as they held on for all they were worth. But he won’t let them hold on. He instructs them, “Go and tell.”

“Telling” isn’t what makes the Resurrection true. The Resurrection stands on its own. But speaking of its truth commits us to the truth and forms a covenant between us and the truth which we have spoken.

“Go,” and “Tell.”

Jesus once again proves that he is wiser than the average joe when he insists that the witnesses to the Resurrection cease their clinging to his resurrected presence. Instead he insists that they busy themselves with the task of telling others.
Telling others of the Resurrection doesn’t make the Resurrection true. The truth of the Resurrection stands on its own. But speaking of this truth to others has a way of committing us to the truth and forms a bond between us and the truth of which we have spoken.

There are many reasons why I love Easter Sunrise Services, but one of them is as simple as the location. It is outside; in a public place; without the all the trappings of a pipe organ or padded pews. There is a rawness about proclaiming the Gospel in the open square. There is a reminder that Jesus’ Resurrection is more than a secret to be shared among members of The Club, it is the Good News the world needs to hear. Jesus’ resurrection accomplishes all it was intended to accomplish when the faithful raise the strain of triumphant gladness.

“Telling” isn’t what makes the Resurrection true. The Resurrection stands on its own. But speaking of its truth commits us to the truth and forms a covenant between us and the truth which we have spoken.

Amen.