“Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.
He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.
Then go quickly and tell his disciples. He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” Matthew 28:5-7
There is so much in this passage that we often overlook in its familiarity. The most often used passage in scripture is “do not be afraid!” There is much in our world that frightens us; economic uncertainties, health insecurity, threats from natural disasters, loss of trust in our political and civic leaders, just to name a few. Truly there are no guarantees in life! Many of us look to our faith or our church family for that ‘security’ by seeking answers that are black or white absolute principles or doctrines that provide a framework in which to live and build lives upon ‘the rock’ that never shifts or changes. The Pharisees, the scribes and religious leaders, and Jesus’ disciples were trying to do the same by building a fortress around certain beliefs and laws they thought were inviolable. They (we) killed Jesus for stepping outside of those carefully crafted boundaries, and tried to seal him into a tomb where all those dangerous ideas could be dead and buried with him.
It didn’t happen! He is not here, for he has been raised, as he said. If we are looking to find Jesus in the confines of our church, our denominations, or our favorite causes, we will always be disappointed. He has been raised and goes before us into that world full of uncertainties. Those who follow him need never be afraid, for the good shepherd walks with us into all of the dark valleys of our lives. We meet Jesus not only in the church but out in the world. He has been raised from the dead, and indeed is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him! Galilee is the place of ministry and miracles; where Jesus walked with his disciples and taught us about the ways that God is active in the world all around us. We do come to church to learn scripture, to be informed by our faith and traditions. Come, see the place where he lay. This learning and our faith community are important for the support, encouragement, and nourishment we receive together. But it is not ‘our dwelling place.’ Then GO quickly and TELL. The church is the ‘ecclesia’- those who are ‘sent’ into all the world to tell the good news we have received.
In the six weeks between Easter and Pentecost- the fifty days that the resurrected Jesus still appeared with his disciples and taught them how to be in the world together, will be a special time in our church family at COCU. We will hear from a different member each week how their faith is guiding them and leading them ‘in Galilee’ where we see Jesus still active in our volunteering and service in the world. This is our opportunity to hear ‘witnesses’ within our congregation who are fulfilling Jesus’ calling as disciples who are exhibiting the kingdom of God in their families and workplaces. Our reformed heritage teaches us that all of us are ministers of the gospel- not just the pastor (shepherd) of the church. Come and celebrate with us this ‘priesthood of all believers’ as we Go and Tell the wonderful works of the Lord through our faithful members who live out our mission:
COCU is A Community of Christians Uniting in Service.
Ministering with You in Christ’s Service,
Pastor Carol
