What do you get when you cross the Easter Bunny with a pastor after Holy Week? An Easter Basket Case.
After a spiritually filled Holy Week that culminates with the wonder of Easter Sunday, it is quite common to find a pastor, staff, and volunteers in need of a nap. Is there any wonder why?
In one week, we as people of faith wave palm branches in the air, shouting “Hosanna!” only for moments later to hear of the brutal passion of our Lord and Savior as the cries of “Crucify Him!” echo throughout the sanctuary. We gather again on Thursday as we remember that the night in which he was betrayed Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, shared with him a meal of his body and blood found in the bread and the wine, and expressed the full extent of his love for them and for all the world. The next night, Good Friday, we gather again to witness in our hearts nails being driven into Jesus’ hands and feet, a crown of thorns placed on his head, and to hear the anguish as he whispers “It is finished” with his final breath.
Finally, as the sun rises on Sunday morning, we gather with our largest crowd of the year to hear the news that “He is Risen!” and we can finally exclaim “Alleluia!”
It is a spiritual-theological-emotional-physical roller coaster that is sure enough to leave even the most conditioned exhausted.
But it occurred to me-is there any way that we can do justice with this story? I mean, in a way it’s like watching The Shawshank Redemption” for the 30th time. Sure it’s still inspiring. Sure it brings us through the emotions of fear, anger, despair, hope, and love. But we all know how it ends, right? We already know that Andy Dufresne escapes to his tiny beach town of Zihuatanejo (yes, that’s how it’s spelled. I checked). The next time it plays on tv (which in all likelihood is happing as you read this) you don’t have to wait for the ending because you already know it.
Which makes me think of the disciples, especially Mary Magdalene. She didn’t know how this story was going to unfold. Imagine the emotional roller coaster she and the others endured; the exhaustion she must have felt that Easter morning. Can we possibly imagine the joy in her heart as the people laid down palms, welcoming the man whom she had been following as the coming savior? Imagine her confusion and anger to see him just days later be arrested, beaten and mocked. Imagine the despair, fear, and heartbreak she withstood as this man who offered her and others nothing but love was nailed to a cross like a common criminal and then died. Had it all been for naught? What was her life to be now? Where could she go, what would she do?
Can we possibly imagine the thoughts and feelings that were running through Mary’s heart and mind when she went to the tomb-only to find the greatest surprise anyone could ever imagine! No wonder she grabbed Jesus with both arms and wouldn’t let go! Would you?
It is a story that not even Tim Robbins or Morgan Freeman could act out convincingly or that Frank Darabont or Stephan King could possibly come close to creating. It is the story of all stories, one that can be heard and relived over and over again. While there is no sermon, no music, no worship that could ever do this story the justice it deserves, we will continue to try. Because it truly is the Greatest Story Ever Told.