­­Monday, April 6
Bright Monday

Scripture: John 20:1-10
Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.

THE EMPTY TOMB
There are times in life where the line between total despair and abundant joy seems very, very short—almost non-existent. Such was the experience Peter, Mary Magdalene and John had as they approached the tomb of Jesus on the early Sunday morning after he was crucified.

Imagine the depths of emotions shared: grief over the cruel death of their friend, leader, and promised Messiah had produced a pain unimaginable. It was a personal loss, without question, but also a death of a dream and their hope for the future. Fear reigned as they wondered if they would be arrested next. Even worse, Peter bore the grief of his denial and abandonment of his Lord.

Sadness.

Despair.

Such was my grief as family and friends gathered to bury our eldest son following his horrible murder. Stunned, hopeless and wracked with the pain of such a loss, I feared I would not survive. I questioned even my desire to go on. Two days before we buried our beloved son, a local pastor offered a personally written poem that spoke into our need. We chose to have it read it at the graveside service and it’s fitting to share it with you on this Bright Monday.

A Grief Observed
By Greg Asimakoupoulos

They stumble slowly to a fresh grave
as if clothed in coats of steel.
Their words (robed in garments of grief)
fall with their tears to the ground.
Questioning.
Weeping.
Silence.           
      (not knowing what to say)
One so deeply loved lay dead so needlessly.
Jagged shards of pain puncture places in the heart
that only days before pulsated with laughter and with love.
And though the shock of what took place has given way          
            to a dull ache of reality,
            like bullies in a darkened alley,
            these villains of the soul pounce unexpectedly
            with merciless surprise
            striking with sorrow from the blind side.
Victimized.
Stunned.
Angry.
Hopeless
Depositing their flowers and the fragrance of fear
they turn to leave.  No reason to linger any longer.
Life goes on. . . even after life goes off.
But wait. . .
Unexpected words as if from God Himself break through
the mist of the mourning:
            “Why seek the living among the dead?
            The One for whom you grieve is not here!
            He Lives!
And with that, their feet no longer lead-like
            their faces no longer faint,
            they retrace their steps beyond the shadows
            into a shaft of sunlight.                       

What was it that brought joy back into Peter’s heart? What gave me the power to go on living after burying my son? What will transform your despair into hope? Only the reality that is the fulcrum of all history: the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Proclaiming the simple, but eternity-altering words, “He’s Alive” changed everything. What gives a purpose to go on living and a hope when facing death? Only the greatest news every delivered: He’s Alive! As today’s song proclaims:

Guilt in my confusion
Disappeared in sweet release
And every fear I'd ever had
Just melted into peace.

He's alive! He's alive!
He's alive and I'm forgiven
Heaven's gates are open wide.

Despair surrenders to hope. . . He’s Alive!

PRAYER
God, in times of despair and grief, quicken in me the reality of hope that comes because “He’s Alive”. Help me to live in the power of that Resurrection. Fear melts away, death loses its dread because He lives. Thank you, in the Name of Jesus, our Risen Savior.
Amen.

Dianne B. Collard, Biola Alumna, Cook School of Intercultural Studies