Christ has been Raised!: 4 April, 2021 – Easter Sunday
The message of Easter that we must proclaim is not that everything is perfect. The message of Easter is that, in spite of the imperfections of this world, everything will be perfect. . . . Easter is a day to be reminded of God’s promise—for those who have already gone to be with Jesus and for all who come to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection on this special Sunday. –– Phyllis Vos Wezeman
John 20:1-18
There are significant points to note from this story. First, Jews did not consider women acceptable witnesses. Since Mary Magdalene is identified by name in all four accounts of the discovery of the empty tomb, we must conclude she truly was connected with the experiences associated with the resurrection.
Second, the report that Peter and “the other disciple” race one another to the tomb is amusing. However when it concludes, the other disciple gives way to allow Peter to enter the tomb first. This is more likely a projection of the acquiescence of the Johannine community to the leadership of the apostolic churches. At the same time, the report that the other disciple “believed” while nothing is noted about Peter affirms the community’s self-understanding of their greater spiritual depth.
Third, while it was common for the early Christians to sense that the events in the life of Jesus fulfilled the scriptures, there are times in which these claims seem to exceed the evidence. John 20:9 (and 1 Cor 15:4) assume that the resurrection fulfilled scripture. While it seems likely that the early church sensed a text from the scriptures of Israel could be applied to the resurrection experience, we do not know to what these texts are alluding. There is no Old Testament passage that foretells the resurrection. –– Regina A. Boisclair
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
In this text, we see that identification of Jesus’ death with forgiveness of sins occurred very early in the postresurrection community. This is the earliest and most detailed list of those who witnessed Jesus risen. It is noteworthy, however, that no women are mentioned. It may be that Paul failed to list women because they generally were not acceptable as witnesses in Jewish courts of his day. Paul concludes with a claim that the risen Lord also appeared to him. This appearance is associated with Paul’s conversion experience near Damascus that leads to his apostolate. He acknowledges that he once persecuted the church; he also claims that subsequently he worked harder than all the rest of the apostles. –– Regina A. Boisclair
Acts10:34-43
This reading is from Peter’s speech in the house of Cornelius. In the selection, Peter summarizes Jesus’s ministry from his baptism to his death. He claims to be a witness that God raised Jesus after three days and he and other followers ate and drank with him. Peter also states that Jesus commissioned followers to preach and bear witness that God appointed him judge of the living and dead, that all prophets fore-told him and that those who believe in him receive forgiveness of sins. Here Peter moves beyond witness into theological understandings that emerged in the early church. –– Regina A. Boisclair
Phyllis Vos Wezeman, has served as the director of Christian Nurture at First Presbyterian Church of South Bend, Indiana; as the Calvin Institute Project Director of the “Worship for Life Resource Collection” (Logos Productions 2008); and has lectured in China, Malawi, and Russia.
Regina Boisclair, a Roman Catholic biblical scholar, teaches at Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, Alaska.
Homily Service 42, no. 2 (2008): 89-107.