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"The Evidence of Easter" 
Easter. A special season, a time of joyous celebration. With a rich tapestry of ceremonies and a spectrum of glorious sounds, Easter is with us. For so many a time of deep and reverent joy, a time of jubilant and holy celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

But clearly it is also a time when the markets are well-stocked with chocolate bunnies, baskets of jelly beans, brightly colored eggs, and the department stores feature the new spring lines. Unfortunately, with all of the commercialism, it could almost be easy to see Easter as a second-rate Christmas celebration, whose home happens to be found in the spring rather than in December, and the Easter story an after the fact, contrived effort, to put a positive face on a tragic event. As H. G. Wells wrote: "When I think of the Resurrection, I am always reminded of happy endings that editors and actor-managers are accustomed to impose on essentially tragic plays and novels."

Well, Easter is not a contrived effort at a happy ending. Easter is more, much more, than that. Easter, Jesus rising from the dead, is the center and heart of the Christian faith, the very soul of Christianity. Dr. Robert Runcie, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, reminds us, "the New Testament never simply says, 'Remember Jesus Christ.' That is a half-finished sentence. It says ‘Remember Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.' "

And yet, while the celebration of Easter is widespread, for many, the fact that it is widespread is no proof of its truth. For some the question is "Where is the evidence of Easter?"

Where is the evidence of Easter?

As I read John 20:1-2:

The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre and we know not where they have laid him."

Perhaps its in the absence. The evidence of the empty tomb. The scripture records, early before dawn, when Mary came to the tomb, she was shocked by the great absence. Jesus was not there. In the tradition of the day, tombs were not closed by doors. Rather, in front of the opening was a groove in the ground, and in the groove was rolled an enormous stone, circular like a cartwheel. After the body was placed in the tomb the massive stone was inched into position to close the opening. In addition, the stone was sealed in place with the imperial roman seal and scores of soldiers were assigned to guard it. No wonder she was astounded to find the stone moved, the tomb open and the body absent. So much so, that her assumption was someone had moved the body.

Ah! When Mary came to the tomb that early morn it was the new dawn of a miraculous paradox, for the empty tomb meant life. And it is true, Easter and the Resurrection cannot be thought about without the absence from the tomb. The absence that gave rise to the thrilling testimony, "He is not here, He is risen." And yet, apparently the evidence of the absence was not enough, because the disciples still wondered, and questioned. If the evidence of Easter is not just in the absence, could the evidence of Easter also be in the presence?

The risen Christ appeared, meeting His friends personally and intimately at unexpected times and places: first, in the garden to the tearful Mary; then to the men huddled in fear behind bolted doors. Despondent, discouraged, disenchanted disciples, hopeless and helpless in the ruins of their dreams. And then, the presence of the Master, standing in their midst, giving assurance at the center of their lives with the loving greeting, "Peace be with you."

The appearances of Jesus in the garden, at the lakeside, on the road to Emmaus, the special visit to meet doubting Thomas, and Paul's record of additional meetings all indicate the evidence of the presence.

Now, while surely the evidence of Easter can be seen in the absence of the body from the tomb and the presence of the risen Lord appearing to his disciples, Peter Gomes has thoughtfully written, "The evidence of the Resurrection, the only evidence admissible in the court of human experience, is the behavior of those who believe in it."

The evidence of Easter is in the people. Yes, Easter is about the Resurrection, not just about the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, but the resurrection of his followers to new life. The unassailable fact is people are the evidence. The behavior of believers is the human means by which the evidence of the Resurrection is validated. People are the proof of the pudding.

That trail of "people evidence" clearly can be seen in the book of Acts, which records resurrection in the lives of those who responded to the presence of the living Christ—people for whom Easter made the difference; people for whom fear was swallowed up in faith, darkness overwhelmed by dawn, gloom replaced by gladness, despair consumed by delight.

The evidence? Those dispirited followers of Jesus became a new fellowship, a community of love, a core cadre going forth with boldness, purpose and power. Their vibrant witness proclaimed His resurrection is more than a doctrine, it is a dynamic power.

What about us? Is the sound of our witness muffled, muted, clouded or distorted?

In a profound way Easter is no longer an incredible story from some distant land and time, Easter is happening to you and to me. The stone of fear, the stone of immorality, the stone of prejudice, the stone of sin's domination is rolled from the tomb of your life and mine and we can walk from the darkness into the sunshine of divine day.

The evidence of Easter?

In addition to the evidence of the absence of the body from the empty tomb, in addition to the evidence of the presence, his appearing to his disciples and followers, the incredible privilege of your life and mine is to be the living evidence of Easter. Our lives are the evidence of a risen and living Lord and the examples of a resurrection faith. A resurrection faith that is convinced, because He lives, evil has been conquered and death will not have the last word. A resurrection faith that believes, because He lives, we too can live in newness and fullness of life. A resurrection faith that transforms our behavior and changes our conduct. A resurrection faith that in practice and proclamation testifies...

I serve a risen Saviour, He's in the world today.
I know that He is living, whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer;
And just the time I need Him, He's always near.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart!
Father, we rejoice that Christ Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life now and forever. Amen.

 

Interview with Benjamin Reaves
Interviewed by Floyd Brown

Floyd Brown: Dr. Reaves, this is a very special time of the year and you pointed out the story of Easter to us so vividly here. One minister that we have had on this program said he borrowed this from another minister so I would like to repeat what he said. He talked about faith and told the story that, "It may be Friday, but Sunday’s coming!"

Benjamin Reaves: That sounds like Tony Campolo!

Brown: Yes, it was Tony Campolo! Sunday is coming. Is that kind of faith translated to young people on college campuses today?

Reaves: From my experience, many of the young people on our campuses at first had some sense of disillusionment about much of the society that has been handed to them. But I think that I see an awakening of confidence and belief and expectancy, not only that things can be different, but they can be part of making it different. I am heartened by that.

Brown: That’s marvelous. Where are they getting their instructions? Are they getting it in church or at home? Were you delivering it on the university campus? What is happening in our society today?

Reaves: Let me respond by saying as a clergyman, yes, they are getting it in church. Let me say as a parent, yes, they are getting it at home. And let me say as a college president, yes, they are getting it on campus. They are getting it in a number of ways through the mentors and the models that they are exposed to. But in addition, part of it is because they themselves are growing as individuals and in their personal relationships with Jesus Christ.

Brown: That’s rewarding to hear you say that. That’s very, very good. Something that I heard someone talk about one time left a very strong message with me and I would like for you to respond to this: the taking of communion. There is no greater time in the entire year than Easter because it is what communion is all about, our relationship to Jesus Christ and in remembrance of Him. But so much of the things that we learn is by rote and many people don’t seemingly—at least this was the position of this minister—really fully appreciate the privilege that we have to take communion. How do you respond to that?

Reaves: Well, first of all, with a little sadness because in some ways that is true. The reason is that sometimes familiarity begins to breed contempt if not ignorance totally. There is the tendency that we can go through the motions of activities, accepted activities, and feel that in some way that in itself is virtuous. I would hope however that especially at this season that at every communion there would be thoughtful consideration of the meaning of what is going on here and why we would be directed to remember. If I tell you, "Remember, Floyd," that’s important. We need to again tie back into the importance and the meaning of the remembrance that is embodied in communion and that comes full-blown to us at Easter.

Brown: There are people probably in hospital rooms at this time, there are people who are in real times of stress. Faith. If you don’t have it, how do you gain it if you are afraid and you waver just a little bit. What do you say to them?

Reaves: Number one, "To every man he has given a measure of faith." And the fact of having faith does not mean that, from time to time, you may not waver. But again the real essence of faith is to understand that even in my wavering God can guide, can support, can direct, can bring meaning out of this for my life. And so for the person who is in difficult circumstances or is in the hospital or who has received a dreaded diagnosis, the thing that I like to press is that our faith is not just in the power of God to make a difference in our situation—to roll away the stone from the door—but our faith is also in the providence of God. That as He guides and allows, He does so out of His love for us and for our best good. So we trust not just God’s power, we also trust God’s providence.

Brown: That’s wonderful. Thank you very much for that wonderful answer. We have discussed faith so strongly here today and you’ve given me a lot answers. But generally, what would you say to a person going out today who has been to church, who has to look forward to another year? What would you say to them about faith?

Reaves: Why not step out, put your hand in His hand, and march out into the unknown because it will be brighter than a light and surer than a known way.

Brown: God bless you. Thank you so much for a marvelous message.

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