Genesis 1:1 –
2:3; Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13; Exodus 14:10 – 15:1; Ezekiel 37:1-14;
Jonah 3:1-10; Daniel 3:1-30; John 20:1-18
In the Name of the Father and of the
+ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
It is
appropriate that the first celebration of Easter begin with the words “In the
beginning God,” for God was, and God is, the beginning and the very Creator and
source of all that is. The rest of the Holy Scriptures are the account of man’s
rebellion and fall into sin, and the wages of his sin, even as God worked
through His fallen creatures and creation ever towards their re-creation,
restoration, and renewal in His Son. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the
Omega to that Alpha, and yet, it doesn’t end there, but it is a new beginning.
Friday’s “It is finished” proclaimed the end of God’s work of re-creation in
His Son. Jesus observed the Sabbath rest on Saturday, today. And now, tonight
at sundown, we are gathered here in vigil anticipating the dawn of a New Day – the
First Day of the New Creation in Jesus Christ, a Day upon which the sun will
never set, the Eternal Eighth Day.
This is the
Day into which you have been baptized. The life you live in Christ will never
die. Though your body will die and return to the dust from which it came, your
spirit is a new creation. When Christ returns, He will raise up your body as a
new creation fit for the new and immortal spirit you already are. The proof and
guarantee of this is Jesus’ own bodily resurrection and ascension to the right
hand of His Father.
In your Holy
Baptism, the Father spoke His creative Word once again and His Spirit hovered
over the waters to bring something out of nothing, to bring you out of death
into life. Once again the flood waters poured over you, both killing and
quickening, as you were raised up a new creation. Like Israel before you, you
were delivered safely through the Red Sea while your sins and sinful nature
were drowned with Pharaoh and his hosts and died. Though you were lifeless and
dead as dried-out bones, the Spirit breathed life upon you and into you and gave
you a heart of flesh in place of your heart of stone. Jesus is the greater
Jonah who, after three days in the tomb was raised to preach the Gospel of
forgiveness to you lost and hopeless Ninevites that you would be turned in
repentance and live. He has delivered you out of the fiery furnace of His
Father’s wrath against your sin and has invaded and proclaimed victory over
both death and hell.
Christ is
risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! This is the Day that the LORD has made!
Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Christ has made all things new! From now on,
regard no one according to the flesh! Christ has died for all, so all have
died, and He is risen that all may live in Him. Let this be told in all the
earth! Let this be witnessed in your lives, words, and deeds. Go! Flee from His
empty tomb and tell all His brothers and sisters He is risen, just as He said!
But, whatever you do, don’t let tomorrow be like yesterday. Yesterday is dead
and buried; tomorrow is risen in Christ!
Do not be
afraid. You are not alone. You are never alone. You died in Jesus death’ and
were buried; in Jesus you also have been raised from death. The stone of sin
and guilt that would have kept you in your tomb has been rolled away, removed, never
to be placed again. This is what your baptism means. Your new life is in
communion with Christ. You are His body even as He is your head. And, not you alone,
but all the Church. In truth, Jesus died and was raised for all men; pity those
who do not know, believe, and confess.
Do not be
afraid to live freely. That is, do not permit yourself to be burdened and
weighed down by cares and anxieties and fears concerning this material world,
your possessions, food, clothing, shelter, and money. You have died to their
enslavement; you are free in Christ who is all in all. “Do not resist the one
who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other
also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak
as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give
to the one who begs from you and do not refuse the one who would borrow from
you.”
Do not be
afraid. You are not alone. You are born again into a new family, those who hear
the Word of God and keep it. You are your brother’s keeper, and by your brother
you are kept. One holy Name you bless. You partake of one Holy Food. This is
the feast of victory for our God. The Lamb who was slain has begun His reign.
Alleluia! You are born of His riven side in holy cleansing water and blood.
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Let us rejoice and be glad in
Him today, and tomorrow, and forever.
In the + Name of Jesus. Amen.
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