Easter expectations.
Wrapped boxes almost always contain something exciting. The reason for the box could be a birthday, a holiday gift, or simply the arrival of an expected order. What could be inside? The contents of the box could be trivial, or they could be life changing. The moments before opening the box is always a bit of a rush. Even when we know the stated sender of the box, even when we know the reason for the box being sent, there is still anticipation and excitement as the box is opened. Boxes bring with them a set of expectations, potential for wonder, and their own set of questions. Tombs come with their own set of expectations. Never before had emptiness been greeted with such questions, such wonder, such worship as that morning on the first day of the week 2,000 years ago.
In John 20 we're told about Mary Magdalene, Peter, and John (John often refers to himself without using his name in his gospel) as they travel to the tomb. They had expectations. They thought they knew the contents inside the tomb. They
thought the day would be rather trivial, they didn't yet realize the contents of the tomb would be life changing. We are told in verse 9 that "they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.". Jesus had told his disciples and followers multiple times he would suffer, die, and rise again. Yet when the moment came, they were shocked. Their expectations were a rotting corpse, not an empty tomb. They thought they had all the answers when they came to the tomb, yet they left with wonder and questions. They had questions about the words Jesus had spoken to them. Wonder at the new reality of the empty tomb.
Today, we all have expectations. We have expectations of one another in church, expectations of our friends, family, business partners. Each day our expectations are changing with life's challenges and changes. Many of us are left with questions, questions about the words of Jesus. Today, as we worship, maybe some of us are experiencing our first Easter, maybe some of us have experienced many more. Regardless of your expectations, regardless of your questions, let us today wonder together, let us be amazed at the most exciting surprise. Let us praise and commit ourselves to the the one who redefines our expectations. Let us wonder today at the emptiness of the tomb. Let us worship the one who was not in the tomb.
In John 20 we're told about Mary Magdalene, Peter, and John (John often refers to himself without using his name in his gospel) as they travel to the tomb. They had expectations. They thought they knew the contents inside the tomb. They
thought the day would be rather trivial, they didn't yet realize the contents of the tomb would be life changing. We are told in verse 9 that "they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.". Jesus had told his disciples and followers multiple times he would suffer, die, and rise again. Yet when the moment came, they were shocked. Their expectations were a rotting corpse, not an empty tomb. They thought they had all the answers when they came to the tomb, yet they left with wonder and questions. They had questions about the words Jesus had spoken to them. Wonder at the new reality of the empty tomb.
Today, we all have expectations. We have expectations of one another in church, expectations of our friends, family, business partners. Each day our expectations are changing with life's challenges and changes. Many of us are left with questions, questions about the words of Jesus. Today, as we worship, maybe some of us are experiencing our first Easter, maybe some of us have experienced many more. Regardless of your expectations, regardless of your questions, let us today wonder together, let us be amazed at the most exciting surprise. Let us praise and commit ourselves to the the one who redefines our expectations. Let us wonder today at the emptiness of the tomb. Let us worship the one who was not in the tomb.
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