TITLE: “Rising from Sadness”

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Our text for this morning is from the Gospel lesson just read from John chapter 20:

The Lord is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! In ancient times Christians would gather in the early dawn at the tombs of fallen sons and daughters of the faith. They would celebrate the resurrection of the dead on Easter morning, and look for the escape from death that comes with our Lord’s triumphant victory over sin, death, and the power of the devil.

But today, so often we are taught to believe that death itself is an escape or a release. Where did this idea come from? Whether we are talking about so-called unwanted pregnancies, the elderly who no longer have the will to live, a young man or woman who consider taking their own life, the sick or severely ill, or even this tragic case of Terri Shiavo in Florida, many argue that in certain circumstances, death is actually preferable to life. This is sadly very often the way that hospice and others that are trained to help the dying are taught to speak. Death is a part of life. Death is another adventure. Death is actually a good thing.

But this is not true. The Scriptures tell us that the wages of sin is death, and that death is the prison sentence that we all must undergo because of our sinfulness. Our forefathers in the faith knew this., for according to the Scriptures, life is always preferable to death, because death marks an end, a closed door that cannot be reopened. I know that in the midst of suffering and hardship, there are times that it may seem like death would be preferable. But this is not so, for there is no escape from death. There is no release from this prison.

Or is there a release? That is what was running through the minds of those disciples that first Easter morning so long ago. Jesus was dead, crushed by the weight of their sin upon the cross. He was dead, and Mary Magdalene had come to anoint His sacred body. Even though Jesus had told them He would rise from the dead, they did not believe. But when they came to the tomb, the stone was gone. She runs to tell Peter and John, and sure enough, the linen cloths were lying there, and the handkerchief was all folded, like it was ready to be put away after feasting on Easter lamb. The more they looked, and the more they heard from the angels and then from Jesus Himself, the more they came to realize that Jesus had done the impossible. Jesus had in fact escaped death itself. As our hymn so beautifully put it this morning:

Christ is arisen from the grave’s dark prison

So let our song exulting rise, Christ’s with comfort lights our eyes, Alleluia!

This Easter morning rings out with hope for all the world. Why? Because death is not the final prison. The grave is not the end. For Christ has gone to the grave and has come forth triumphant! Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is the hope upon which the entire Christian faith is built. This is it, dear friends in Christ. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then go home. Sing no alleuias, throw away the lamb, toss out the Easter eggs. You remain in your sins.

But Christ did rise from the dead. And because He rose from the dead, you will too . Death is no prison for you anymore. You need not fear it. Christ Jesus has paid the price for your sins. Your freedom from sin, death and the power of the devil has been paid for. You are free!

Do you know what that means for you? That means that no matter what may come, no matter what the trials or hardships in your life, no matter what suffering you may face, even if death and hell itself seem to stare you down, you may look at them and laugh. Laugh! You may laugh because Jesus has gone the road before you. You may laugh, laugh and sing because Christ is risen from the dead, and because of that, nothing that happens to you in this life, nothing will compare to the glory that will be revealed at the resurrection of the dead.

But that’s not it. Why? All of those who have died in Christ will rise from the dead, just as surely as Christ Himself rose from the dead, and just as surely as you will rise from the dead. Now that’s a long list of sinners, people, but we have quite a savior. He will not let them languish and suffer any more than He will you. That is why we can go to the grave and sing alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Perhaps one of the ancients, a preacher called the Golden Tongued, has said it best for us:

"Let no one fear death, for the death of our Savior has set us free. He has destroyed it be enduring it. He has sacked Hell by going into it.

"Hell is angered because it has been frustrated. Hell is angered because it has been mocked. Hell is angered because it has been reduced to nothing. Hell is angered because it is now imprisoned. He seized a body, but instead it discovered God. It seized earth and behold, it encountered heaven! It seized what it saw and was overcome by what it did not see! O death, where is thy sting? O Hell, where is thy victory?

"Christ is Risen and Hell is annihilated! Christ is Risen and the evil ones are cast down.

"Christ is Risen and life is liberated! Christ is Risen and the tomb is emptied of the dead: for Christ being Risen from the dead, has become the leader and Reviver of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be glory and power forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen!"

This Eastertide we remember that we need not fear death, nor sin nor even hell itself. Christ is risen from the dead! Come to the feast of victory. Alleluia! Amen.

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in true faith, unto life everlasting. Amen.