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Easter 2020. John 20:1-18.

As this reaches you all I pray deeply that you and those around you are managing to stay close to God and that you know we are loved and adored by the Lord Jesus.

I was taken to thoughts of Mary Magdalene and her relationship to Jesus, all those years of experiences such as love, grief, achievement, fear, faith, happiness all shared together. Then to have your dearest friend taken from you with such violence, someone who was special to others but extra special to you. The Bible tells us that Mary was a devoted follower of Jesus and she became especially prominent at the crucifixion and resurrection. Just think about the words ‘devoted follower’ for a moment and what that meant at a time when Christianity did not yet exist. What that means in the context of Mary Magdalene. Her faith was unmoveable, her love was pure...

’Risen from the dead?

Don’t be ridiculous, woman!’

That was what the disciples said

when I gave them the wonderful news.

I tried to explain, to make them see, to persuade them to go and look for themselves.

And they did in the end, but at first they wouldn’t believe, just as I didn’t believe

when we arrived at the tomb to find the stone rolled away.

We’d gone to the garden very early, as soon as the dawn had begun to break,

taking the spices and perfumes

we’d carefully prepared before

the Sabbath had begun.

We walked in silence, I was lost in my own thoughts, still reeling from Jesus’ death.

I was speechless

when I saw the stone moved

and the tomb empty.

Two men were standing there, we were very frightened

and we fell to our knees with fear.

’What had happened?’

’Where was Jesus?’

’Who were these people?’

Questions I would have asked,

if I’d had the courage.

Then the men spoke to us, ’Why are you looking for the Living One in the place of the dead?

He is not here, he has risen!’

And I remembered Jesus’ words, words that had faded from my mind

as the events of three days ago took over.

’The Son of Man must be handed over and be crucified,

and three days later he will rise to life.’

We all began talking at once,

’Could it be true?’

’Was it possible?’

I hardly dared imagine that it might be.

We hurried back and found the disciples

gathered together in the one room, discussing all that had happened, talking about a future without Jesus.

Once they dismissed our news as nonsense, we began to leave, but Peter,

who had gone off to look for himself, returned.

’The tomb is empty,’ he told the others,

’The linen wrappings are there, but Jesus is gone.

’This can only mean one thing,’ he said,

’and I hardly dare say it, Jesus must be alive!

’It’s all true, every word he said to us is true!’

Lord, open the eyes of my heart to reveal the truth that Christ is risen.

Alleluia. Amen.

Rebecca Edwards