Blog
Easter Sunday
From Darkness to New Beginning – John 20:1-18
by Sally Vonner
Blessed Easter, Resurrection Sunday!
The Lord is risen. The tomb is empty as promised, and the good news of Jesus’ resurrection is proclaimed. We meet Mary Magdalene, friend and close follower/disciple of Jesus, at the tomb early in the morning while darkness prevailed.
Her expectation of anointing Jesus could not be fulfilled. She quickly assumed Jesus’ body was stolen. Mary Magdalene’s reaction is relatable. When our expectations shift to the unexpected, we too may react with disappointment, confusion, or disbelief. We may rush to conclusions without openness to other possibilities or remembrance of Jesus’ promises and teachings. We, too, may miss the wonder of his voice until we shift our agenda and hear him call our names as he did Mary Magdalene’s.
This time in reading John’s story of Mary Magdalene’s encounter with Jesus after staying behind when the other two disciples left, brought a new revelation for me.
God empowered two women with world-changing proclamations. Mary, the mother of Jesus, proclaimed Jesus’ descending from heaven as Emmanuel; and Mary Magdalene proclaimed to others that Jesus said he is going to “ascend…to his God, and our God.” Both proclamations affirm our Christian faith that God, through Jesus, has brought us into a new relationship/covenant with a God who loves us. The empty tomb is really a new beginning.
This Easter, I celebrate our risen Savior, and all the women God continues to empower, lay and clergy, to share the good news of Jesus Christ. The one who invites us into a new covenant of light, love, and justice for all people and the world to believe. The one who proved through resurrection and ascension that we belong to God.
Prayer
Thank you, God, for the gift of our risen Lord, Jesus Christ, who lived among us modeling the way to live righteously and have hope in life eternal with you. Amen.
Sally Vonner is the General Secretary and CEO of United Women in Faith.
