Gospel for June 4, 2023 Trinity Sunday

START WITH SCRIPTURE:
Matthew 28:16-20
CLICK HERE TO READ SCRIPTURE ON BIBLEGATEWAY.COM

OBSERVE:

This is the final resurrection appearance of Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel.  As with John’s Gospel, Jesus meets the eleven remaining disciples in Galilee — in this case at a mountain.

Some might point out that in Luke’s Gospel Jesus meets the disciples for the last time at the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem.  Some scholars argue that each Gospel must be read as a self-contained work, with its own theme and perspective.  However, I don’t find it difficult to harmonize the four accounts of the Gospels — a forty-day period of resurrection appearances leaves ample opportunities for travel (Acts 1:3) — to Emmaus, as well as to Galilee and back to Jerusalem again.

Matthew’s Gospel does not describe the departure of Jesus, although these are the last words Jesus speaks.

There are parallels between the valedictory words of Jesus in Matthew and in the other Gospels — and there are differences.

Interestingly, the mixture of faith and doubt persists, as it does in some of the other Gospels:

 When they saw him, they bowed down to him, but some doubted.

When Jesus appears in the Upper Room in Luke’s Gospel, he says to the disciples:

Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts?  See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones, as you see that I have (Luke 24:38-39).

It seems that even at this point seeing wasn’t believing!  Even at this moment faith was a subjective response to an objective reality.

Jesus’ final words to the disciples in Matthew’s Gospel are known as the Great Commission: 

All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.  Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

There are several layers to this Great Commission.

First, Jesus establishes his authority in heaven and on earth.  There is a paradox here — Jesus had only recently been crucified.  His death by the will of the priests and at the hands of Roman soldiers was their assertion of his weakness and powerlessness.  However, his resurrection from the dead bears witness to his power and authority even over the ultimate enemy — death.  His authority includes every possible realm — heaven and earth.  As Paul writes:

[God] raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come.  He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all (Ephesians 1:20-23).

Second, Jesus gives the disciples their charge — to make disciples of all nations.  As in Acts, Jesus is making clear their missionary imperative:

You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth (Acts 1:8).

Third, Jesus gives them direction on how they are to make disciples — baptizing and teaching  all that he has commanded.  This includes the initiation into faith through baptism, as well as nurture and growth as disciples within the community of faith.

Fourth, Jesus provides the classic Trinitarian baptismal formula:

in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Although he doesn’t offer a doctrinal definition of the Trinity, it is clear that Father, Son and Holy Spirit are representative of One God in Three Persons.  This is suggested by his statement that they are to baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  The name in this context implies Godhead, as when they are taught to pray:

Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy (Matthew 6:9).

And also when Jesus teaches them:

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them (Matthew 18:20).

Fifth, Jesus assures them of his continued presence, and his ultimate return at the end of the age when he will bring the kingdom:

Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

It might be said that he continues to be with them through the presence of the Holy Spirit,  but he is making the same claims made throughout the New Testament — that God will not leave his church, and that Christ will return.

APPLY:  

This Great Commission is a synopsis of what the church needs even today for the purpose of making disciples.

• We have no authority of our own. Our power and authority all derive from the authority of Jesus.  Therefore we are able to witness boldly in the name of the risen Christ, who rules over heaven and earth.
• We are to go to all nations. Ours is a global mandate, that includes all nations, races, ethnic groups, tribes and languages around the world.
• We are to initiate disciples into the church through baptism in the name of The Trinity.
• We are to teach all that Jesus has commanded. This applies not only to what Jesus has said in the Gospel of Matthew, but the entire Bible.  We are reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew:
  Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill (Matthew 5:17).

This applies to our reading of the Old Testament.  And Jesus also tells us that:

the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you (John 14:26).

This includes the apostolic teaching that comes to be known as the New Testament.

We are reminded that we are not alone as we live our lives and bear witness to Christ, for he is with us always.

And we have the promise of his eventual return, and the consummation of all things in the kingdom of God. History is going somewhere!

RESPOND: 

Those who work with corporations and non-profit organizations have been made aware of the importance of mission statements.  Article after article in the field of strategic planning and management tout the importance of crafting just the right mission statement.

They agree that a good mission statement provides identity, purpose, focus, and even a sense of structure for an effective organization.

One credit card company says that they:

have a mission to be the world’s most respected service brand. To do this we have established a culture that supports our team members, so they can provide exceptional service to our customers.

A tea company boasts that it:

seeks to create and promote great-tasting, healthier, organic beverages. We strive to grow our business with the same honesty and integrity we use to craft our products, with sustainability and great taste for all.

I personally love the mission statement of the early Methodists, although they wouldn’t have called it a mission statement:

God’s design in raising up the Preachers called Methodists [was]….to reform the nation, particularly the Church; and to spread scriptural holiness over the land.
[Minutes of Several Conversations Between The Rev. Mr. Wesley and Others; From the Year 1744, to the Year 1789.]

However, for authority, purpose and promise, nothing can beat the Great Commission itself as the mission statement for Christians and the church:

All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.  Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Our Lord, you have come to us with your grace so that we may share that grace with others.  You have called us to be disciples so that we may disciple others.  Thank you for your promise to be with us in this mission, until you return.  Amen.

PHOTOS:
"The Great Commission" by Chris Hsia is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic license.

Gospel for June 7, 2020 Trinity Sunday

START WITH SCRIPTURE:
Matthew 28:16-20
CLICK HERE TO READ SCRIPTURE ON BIBLEGATEWAY.COM

OBSERVE:

This is the final resurrection appearance of Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel.  As with John’s Gospel, Jesus meets the eleven remaining disciples in Galilee — in this case at a mountain.

Some might point out that in Luke’s Gospel Jesus meets the disciples for the last time at the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem.  Some scholars argue that each Gospel must be read as a self-contained work, with its own theme and perspective.  However, I don’t find it difficult to harmonize the four accounts of the Gospels — a forty day period of resurrection appearances leaves ample opportunities for travel (Acts 1:3) — to Emmaus, as well as to Galilee and back to Jerusalem again.

Matthew’s Gospel does not describe the departure of Jesus, although these are the last words Jesus speaks.

There are parallels between the valedictory words of Jesus in Matthew and in the other Gospels — and there are differences.

Interestingly, the mixture of faith and doubt persists, as it does in some of the other Gospels:

 When they saw him, they bowed down to him, but some doubted.

When Jesus appears in the Upper Room in Luke’s Gospel, he says to the disciples:

Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts?  See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones, as you see that I have (Luke 24:38-39).

It seems that even at this point seeing wasn’t believing!  Even at this moment faith was a subjective response to an objective reality.

Jesus’ final words to the disciples in Matthew’s Gospel are known as the Great Commission: 

All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.  Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

There are several layers to this Great Commission.

First, Jesus establishes his authority in heaven and on earth.  There is a paradox here — Jesus had only recently been crucified.  His death by the will of the priests and at the hands of Roman soldiers was their assertion of his weakness and powerlessness.  However, his resurrection from the dead bears witness to his power and authority even over the ultimate enemy — death.  His authority includes every possible realm — heaven and earth.  As Paul writes:

[God] raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places,  far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come.  He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly,  which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all (Ephesians 1:20-23).

Second, Jesus gives the disciples their charge — to make disciples of all nations.  As in Acts, Jesus is making clear their missionary imperative:

You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth (Acts 1:8).

Third, Jesus gives them direction on how they are to make disciples — baptizing and teaching  all that he has commanded.  This includes the initiation into faith through baptism, as well as nurture and growth as disciples within the community of faith.

Fourth, Jesus provides the classic Trinitarian baptismal formula:

in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Although he doesn’t offer a doctrinal definition of the Trinity, it is clear that Father, Son and Holy Spirit are representative of One God in Three Persons.  This is suggested by his statement that they are to baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  The name in this context implies Godhead, as when they are taught to pray:

Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy (Matthew 6:9).

And also when Jesus teaches them:

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them (Matthew 18:20).

Fifth, Jesus assures them of his continued presence, and his ultimate return at the end of the age when he will bring the kingdom:

Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

It might be said that he continues to be with them through the presence of the Holy Spirit,  but he is making the same claims made throughout the New Testament — that God will not leave his church, and that Christ will return.

APPLY:  

This Great Commission is a synopsis of what the church needs even today for the purpose of making disciples.

• We have no authority of our own. Our power and authority all derive from the authority of Jesus.  Therefore we are able to witness boldly in the name of the risen Christ, who rules over heaven and earth.
• We are to go to all nations. Ours is a global mandate, that includes all nations, races, ethnic groups, tribes and languages around the world.
• We are to initiate disciples into the church through baptism in the name of The Trinity.
• We are to teach all that Jesus has commanded. This applies not only to what Jesus has said in the Gospel of Matthew, but the entire Bible.  We are reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew:
  Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill (Matthew 5:17).

This applies to our reading of the Old Testament.  And Jesus also tells us that:

the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you (John 14:26).

This includes the apostolic teaching that comes to be known as the New Testament.

We are reminded that we are not alone as we live our lives and bear witness to Christ, for he is with us always.

And we have the promise of his eventual return, and the consummation of all things in the kingdom of God. History is going somewhere!

RESPOND: 

Those who work with corporations and non-profit organizations have been made aware of the importance of mission statements.  Article after article in the field of strategic planning and management tout the importance of crafting just the right mission statement.

They agree that a good mission statement provides identity, purpose, focus, and even a sense of structure for an effective organization.

One credit card company says that they:

have a mission to be the world’s most respected service brand. To do this we have established a culture that supports our team members, so they can provide exceptional service to our customers.

A tea company boasts that it:

seeks to create and promote great-tasting, healthier, organic beverages. We strive to grow our business with the same honesty and integrity we use to craft our products, with sustainability and great taste for all.

I personally love the mission statement of the early Methodists, although they wouldn’t have called it a mission statement:

God’s design in raising up the Preachers called Methodists [was]….to reform the nation, particularly the Church; and to spread scriptural holiness over the land.
[Minutes of Several Conversations Between The Rev. Mr. Wesley and Others; From the Year 1744, to the Year 1789.]

However, for authority, purpose and promise, nothing can beat the Great Commission itself as the mission statement for Christians and the church:

All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.  Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Our Lord, you have come to us with your grace so that we may share that grace with others.  You have called us to be disciples so that we may disciple others.  Thank you for your promise to be with us in this mission, until you return.  Amen.

PHOTOS:
"The Great Commission" by Chris Hsia is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic license.

Gospel for June 11, 2017

START WITH SCRIPTURE:

Matthew 28:16-20

CLICK HERE TO READ SCRIPTURE ON BIBLEGATEWAY.COM

OBSERVE:

This is the final resurrection appearance of Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel.  As with John’s Gospel, Jesus meets the eleven remaining disciples in Galilee — in this case at a mountain.

Some might point out that in Luke’s Gospel Jesus meets the disciples for the last time at the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem.  Some scholars argue that each Gospel must be read as a self-contained work, with its own theme and perspective.  However, I don’t find it difficult to harmonize the four accounts of the Gospels — a forty day period of resurrection appearances leaves ample opportunities for travel (Acts 1:3) — to Emmaus, as well as to Galilee and back to Jerusalem again.

Matthew’s Gospel does not describe the departure of Jesus, although these are the last words Jesus speaks.

There are parallels between the valedictory words of Jesus in Matthew and in the other Gospels — and there are differences.

Interestingly, the mixture of faith and doubt persists, as it does in some of the other Gospels:

 When they saw him, they bowed down to him, but some doubted.

When Jesus appears in the Upper Room in Luke’s Gospel, he says to the disciples:

 Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts?  See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones, as you see that I have (Luke 24:38-39).

It seems that even at this point seeing wasn’t believing!  Even at this moment faith was a subjective response to an objective reality.

Jesus’ final words to the disciples in Matthew’s Gospel are known to as the Great Commission: 

All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.  Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

There are several layers to this Great Commission.

First, Jesus establishes his authority in heaven and on earth.  There is a paradox here — Jesus had only recently been crucified.  His death by the will of the priests and at the hands of Roman soldiers was their assertion of his weakness and powerlessness.  However, his resurrection from the dead bears witness to his power and authority even over the ultimate enemy — death.  His authority includes every possible realm — heaven and earth.  As Paul writes:

[God] raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places,  far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come.  He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly,  which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all (Ephesians 1:20-23).

Second, Jesus gives the disciples their charge — to make disciples of all nations.  As in Acts, Jesus is making clear their missionary imperative:

You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth (Acts 1:8).

Third, Jesus gives them direction on how they are to make disciples — baptizing and teaching  all that he has commanded.  This includes the initiation into faith through baptism, as well as nurture and growth as disciples within the community of faith.

Fourth, Jesus provides the classic Trinitarian baptismal formula:

in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Although he doesn’t offer a doctrinal definition of the Trinity, it is clear that Father, Son and Holy Spirit are representative of One God in Three Persons.  This is suggested by his statement that they are to baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  The name in this context implies Godhead, as when they are taught to pray:

Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy (Matthew 6:9).

And also when Jesus teaches them:

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them (Matthew 18:20).

Fifth, Jesus assures them of his continued presence, and his ultimate return at the end of the age when he will bring the kingdom:

Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

It might be said that he continues to be with them through the presence of the Holy Spirit,  but he is making the same claims made throughout the New Testament — that God will not leave his church, and that Christ will return.

APPLY:  

This Great Commission is a synopsis of what the church needs even today for the purpose of making disciples.

• We have no authority of our own. Our power and authority all derive from the authority of Jesus.  Therefore we are able to witness boldly in the name of the risen Christ, who rules over heaven and earth.
• We are to go to all nations. Ours is a global mandate, that includes all nations, races, ethnic groups, tribes and languages around the world.
• We are to initiate disciples into the church through baptism in the name of The Trinity.
• We are to teach all that Jesus has commanded. This applies not only to what Jesus has said in the Gospel of Matthew, but the entire Bible.  We are reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew:
  Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill (Matthew 5:17).

This applies to our reading of the Old Testament.  And Jesus also tells us that:

the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you (John 14:26).

This includes the apostolic teaching that comes to be known as the New Testament.

We are reminded that we are not alone as we live our lives and bear witness to Christ, for he is with us always.

And we have the promise of his eventual return, and the consummation of all things in the kingdom of God. History is going somewhere!

RESPOND: 

Those who work with corporations and non-profit organizations have been made aware of the importance of mission statements.  Article after article in the field of strategic planning and management tout the importance of crafting just the right mission statement.

They agree that a good mission statement provides identity, purpose, focus, and even a sense of structure for an effective organization.

One credit card company says that they:

have a mission to be the world’s most respected service brand. To do this we have established a culture that supports our team members, so they can provide exceptional service to our customers.

A tea company boasts that it:

seeks to create and promote great-tasting, healthier, organic beverages. We strive to grow our business with the same honesty and integrity we use to craft our products, with sustainability and great taste for all.

I personally love the mission statement of the early Methodists, although they wouldn’t have called it a mission statement:

God’s design in raising up the Preachers called Methodists [was]….to reform the nation, particularly the Church; and to spread scriptural holiness over the land.
[Minutes of Several Conversations Between The Rev. Mr. Wesley and Others; From the Year 1744, to the Year 1789.]

However, for authority, purpose and promise, nothing can beat the Great Commission itself as the mission statement for Christians and the church:

All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.  Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Our Lord, you have come to us with your grace so that we may share that grace with others.  You have called us to be disciples so that we may disciple others.  Thank you for your promise to be with us in this mission, until you return.  Amen.

PHOTOS:
"The Great Commission" by Chris Hsia is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic license.

Gospel for April 16, 2017 (Easter)

“The Angel Is Opening Christ’s Tomb” by Benjamin Gerritsz Cuyp [1612-1652]

START WITH SCRIPTURE:

Matthew 28:1-10

CLICK HERE TO READ SCRIPTURE ON BIBLEGATEWAY.COM

OBSERVE:

After the traumatic events of the days just before the Sabbath, one might expect some quiet.  There has been an arrest in the dark of night, a sham court trial, a politically motivated conviction, and a horrific execution.  It is understandable that those who are grieving the death of a charismatic rabbi are seeking solace.

The Sabbath day of rest is over, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary come to the tomb.  From other Biblical sources we know that Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus’ most devoted followers.  She had much for which to be grateful — Jesus had cast out seven demons that had possessed her (Mark 16:9; Luke 8:2).  Matthew’s Gospel describes her as one of the many women who had served Jesus as followers. Mary Magdalene is distinguished from other Marys by identifying her hometown, Magdala, a small fishing village on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

The other Mary is a little harder to pin down.    So, is this other Mary the mother of Jesus? Or is she Mary the mother of James and Joses who was also with Mary Magdalene at the cross (Matthew 27:56)?  This is a little confused by the fact that Jesus had brothers who were named James and Joses (Matthew 13:55). Then there is the Mary who was the sister of Martha and Lazarus, with her own unique relationship with Jesus (Luke 10:38-42; John 11; John 12:3).  We could go further, but apparently the name Mary was very common in these times, named after Miriam the famous sister of Moses and Aaron from ancient times (Exodus 15:20).

Most likely this other Mary is simply the mother of James and Joses, as indicated in the other Gospels.

Why does this matter?  Because it is these two women who become the first witnesses of the resurrected Jesus!  And this is significant because they are women.  In the patriarchal, male-oriented culture of Palestine, the fact that women are featured is quite surprising.

The account unfolds in stages.  First, there are natural and supernatural phenomena:

Behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from the sky, and came and rolled away the stone from the door, and sat on it.

Obviously, for the stone to have closed the entrance to the tomb, it would have been extremely large and heavy.

Second, there is the reaction of the guards, who are terrified:

and became like dead men.

This suggests that they have either fainted and/or are paralyzed with terror.  They are likely unconscious.

Third, there is interaction between the angel and the women.  We note that the angel does not address the soldiers:

The angel answered the women, “Don’t be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified.  He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said. Come, see the place where the Lord was lying. Go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead, and behold, he goes before you into Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.

The angel is fulfilling an angel’s primary function — to be a messenger.  The word anggelos means messenger.  The content of the message sums up the deeds of Jesus, and then provides instructions for the disciples.  This is the essence of the message that the angel is telling the women to tell Jesus’ disciples:

• Jesus has been crucified and raised from the dead. This is the heart of the message of the Gospel.
• The disciples are to go to Galilee where they will see the risen Jesus.

Entrusted with this message, the women quickly leave the tomb. Their emotions are an understandable mixture of fear and great joy.  But then their joy is profoundly deepened when something even more astounding than their encounter with the angel occurs.  They meet the risen Jesus himself!

As they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!”

Jesus’ greeting to the women is translated here as rejoice.  It is the Greek word chairete in the plural imperative mood, often used as a greeting.  The word is sometimes translated hail.  But it seems appropriate that the risen Jesus would greet these women with such a double meaning — he is saying hello to them, but he is also commanding them not to fear, but to rejoice that he is alive again!

The women react appropriately — they kneel at his feet, even taking hold of them, and worship.  But he repeats the instructions of the angel:

Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go tell my brothers that they should go into Galilee, and there they will see me.”

The word brothers doesn’t merely mean the males who are Jesus’ followers.  According to the  Liddell and Scott Greek-English Lexicon, adelphois  may be inclusive — brothers and sisters. Given the fact that the first witnesses who encounter the risen Jesus are women, this inclusion would be appropriate.  The angel (anggelos)brought the message of the resurrection of Jesus — now the women are the evangelists (euanggelos) who take the message to the disciples.

APPLY:  

As with the passion and crucifixion account of Jesus’ life, so it is with the account of the resurrection of Jesus — the interpretation of the resurrection and its full implications is fleshed out in the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles of the New Testament.

Here in this narrative from Matthew’s Gospel, we are given the powerful story of the resurrection, and our proper emotional response to this history-changing event — fear and great joy!

However, there is a difference between the fear of the guards and the fear of the women.  There is no welcome and warmth in the fear of the guards.  They are terrified by an event that to them is supernatural and bizarre.  They fear for their lives!

The fear of the women is awe, which becomes worship when they encounter the risen Jesus.  And united with this reverential fear, there is unbounding joy.

This is a cue to us as we celebrate on Easter Sunday.  We shout with great joy “Christ is risen!”  But we should never lose the sense of reverential awe and worship inspired by this profound event.

RESPOND: 

Some skeptics  like to point out apparent contradictions in the resurrection accounts in the Gospels.  There are a few important things to remember.  First, each Gospel has its own audience, and its own perspective.  That doesn’t mean that they are contradictory.

A friend of mine who is an active lay member in his church tells me that his pastor likes to point out that it’s important not to get hung up on the differences.  He borrows a concept from the secular world of therapy to help his congregation understand.

He says there is “Big T” truth and “Little t” truth.  First, the little t truths are the minor discrepancies between the Gospels when they describe the resurrection accounts.  One mentions two angels, another mentions one.  One has different women, or only one woman who go to the tomb, and so on.

The “Big T” truth that we need to pay attention to, he says, is the Truth all four of the Gospels share — Jesus has been raised from the dead!

I agree in part, although I don’t have a serious problem with so-called contradictions in the accounts.  The Church could have “cleaned up” the Gospels if it had chosen to do so.  There was a figure in the early church who actually tried, a guy named Tatian who compiled the Diatesseron, which was an effort to “harmonize” the Gospels.

I think if pushed, I could do that.  I could explain each of the various events of the resurrection accounts and weave a plausible narrative chronologically that could make sense of them.

But we also must remember something else.  None of the Gospels pretends to be an exhaustive account.  Each is presenting just a slice of what happened.  I think something that John says near the end of his Gospel helps me to understand that we only have a part of the picture:

This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true. There are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they would all be written, I suppose that even the world itself wouldn’t have room for the books that would be written (John 21:24-25).

Even if we harmonized all of the Gospels and all of the Epistles that address the resurrection of Jesus we still wouldn’t have the whole story.  What is really  important is that we respond to the news of the resurrection the same way the disciples did — with worshipful fear and great joy!

Lord, when I consider that you have been raised, and you are alive, I join the early disciples in fear and joy. You are alive, and life is now worth living!  Amen. 

PHOTO:
“The Angel Is Opening Christ’s Tomb” by Benjamin Gerritsz Cuyp is in the Public Domain.