If you come to church on Easter Sunday expecting to hear the glorious news, . . .

If you come to church on Easter Sunday expecting to hear the glorious news, “Jesus Christ is risen today!”—then you are already one step ahead of the disciples.  Despite the fact that Jesus had predicted his death and resurrection several times, the disciples apparently do not believe that he will live up to his word.  That is why there’s no receiving line, with a big “Welcome Back” banner, at the tomb.

No one expected the resurrection, and quite frankly, no one believes it at first.  This is true of all the gospels, but it is particularly true in Luke.  The women come to the tomb early in the morning, intending to anoint the body; and it is only when they are reminded of Jesus’ promise by the “two men in dazzling clothes” that they remember how Jesus had told them that he would be raised on the third day.

Filled with excitement, they rush back to tell the others.  However, the disciples view their report as silly, make-believe nonsense.  Luke says that they regarded the women’s testimony as an “idle tale.”  The Greek word used here is leros, and to be honest, “idle tale” is a rather tame translation.  The actual meaning is much more vulgar.  In short, the disciples think that the women’s story is a giant stinking pile of you-know-what!

And who can blame them?  Resurrection is a game changer, because it breaks all the rules.  I mean, if even the dead don’t stay dead, then what can you count on?  Everything we thought was absolute and unquestionable is suddenly up for grabs—which is why I’ve always believed that Easter ought to be a little unsettling.  Most of us have heard the story of the resurrection so often it hardly makes us blink, let alone shakes us head-to-toe with wonder and awe.  That’s unfortunate, when you think about it, because when you allow the truth of the Easter message to sink in and really grab ahold of you, it should change your entire life.

Belief in the resurrection comes slowly to most of the disciples.  Initially they are filled with doubt, questions, and even outright skepticism.  But eventually, they are bold enough to doubt their own doubts, and they begin to understand that God had done more than simply resuscitate Jesus’ body, God had created an entirely new reality.  In this new reality, death no longer has the last word, love is proven more powerful than hatred, and fears give way to faith!