EASTER SUNDAY

Lord Jesus! Today we no longer stand weeping about your cross; with great joy have we gathered about your grave; for behold! your grave is empty! You have arisen! arisen in glory! Burdened with our sins you bled upon Golgatha; three days later released from our sins you burst from your grave in triumph as victor over sin, death, and hell. Oh what joy for all sinners! Yet see, oh Lord, our heart is also a grave: dark, desolate, and cold. Oh, therefore,

arise this day in our heart, so that it also is stirred and becomes full of light, life, and joy. To that end, bless the message of your resurrection this hour for the sake of your glorious Easter victory. Amen.

The text. Mark 16:1-8.

In the Resurrected Christ, my dear hearers!

"Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified; HE IS RISEN; he is not here; behold the place where they laid him." V. 6. That is what an angel said to those pious women of Galilee, who at dawn had hurried to Christ's grave to anoint his corpse. Yes, indeed, they, as Mark reports in our Gospel, "were affrighted;" Matthew, however, reports that their fear was united with "great joy."

And oh, how great their joy must have been! It is impossible to express the greatness of this joy. Human language is entirely inadequate. If before their heart was, as it were, bathed in blood, now it was bathed in heavenly delight. If before they felt as. if the sun, moon, and stars were extinguished and the entire world enveloped in a thick, impenetrable night of hopelessness, now they felt as though the darkness had suddenly disappeared and the sun of comfort had arisen in full splendor and smiled upon the entire world. Before their eyes, the earth was now turned into a new paradise, into a heaven full of blessedness. In a word: now, after they had, as it were, wrestled with death for three long days, they received a foretaste of eternal life.

What an entirely different impression the news of Christ's resurrection made upon his enemies, the hardened high priests and leaders! Startled out of their sweet dream that Jesus, who so often reprimanded their hypocrisy, was now dead, what must they have felt when they received the report from some of the watchers at Christ's grave, how on the morning of the third day after Christ's death the foundation of the earth suddenly were shaken and the grave opened by itself, how they were immediately hurled to the ground from fright as though dead, and how after they became conscious again a wonderful voice cried out to the weeping women, "He is risen; he is not here!" They must have felt as though God himself were saying: What have you done, you murderers? Woe to you forever and ever! Then their knees must have knocked together and their heart trembled. Of course, they did not repent with Peter's repentance, but Judas' despair seized them. And they were not even afraid that the Resurrected would appear before . them alive, in order to let himself be crucified by them again; but completely despairing of God's grace and giving up God and their salvation, they dreamed up the ridiculous lie (so as not to lose face before men): during the night while the watchmen were asleep his disciples came and had stolen Jesus' body; and they gave the wicked soldiers enough money, that is, as much as they demanded, to spread this lie everywhere.

My friends, all those who in unbelief despise Christ will experience something similar on Judgment Day, when the last trumpet shall sound and Christ, the Resurrected, will appear in his glory in the clouds of heaven and all the holy angels with him, and when he will seat himself in the presence of all upon the throne of his glory to judge the living and the dead. Then, as the Scriptures say, the people of the world will howl and full of despair will cry to the mountains, "Fall on us, and to the hills cover us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" Lk 23:30; Rev 6:16,17.

As long as Christ's resurrection is still preached here on earth during the time of grace, this is not its dreadful purpose; rather its gracious purpose is to pour heavenly joy into the heart of every hearer. We see this from the fact that the angel in our, text did not only say, "Be not affrighted!" to the pious women after he had told them of Christ's resurrection, but he also gave them the

commission, "But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter." Most amazing! They should bring the joyful message of Christ's resurrection even to the faithless disciples!

On the basis of this thought may I present to you

THE EASTER MESSAGE ONCE DIRECTED TO THE FAITHLESS DISCIPLES IS WONDERFUL EVIDENCE THAT IT IS A MESSAGE OF JOY FOR ALL, EVEN THE GREATEST SINNER

May I show you two things:

I. How the Fact that the Easter Message Directed also to the Disloyal Disciples Really is such Glorious Evidence, and

II. That Therefore Everyone who Hears the Easter Message Should Accept it with True Joy.

I.

"Then all the disciples forsook him and fled." Mt 26:56b. So Matthew writes after he had reported that Christ was taken prisoner. My friends, deserting Christ so disgracefully in his hour of greatest trouble was a great, a most frightful sin. Just recall the following. The disciples believed from their hearts that Christ was God's Son and the Savior of the world; therefore, they did not sin out of ignorance but most clearly against better knowledge and against conscience. Christ's deep humiliation also did not come unexpectedly; Christ had repeatedly told them in advance of his suffering in all its exact circumstances; even a few hours before he had warned his disciples against taking offence; in the temptation now meeting them they, therefore, did not act because they were caught unprepared but in spite of the faithful warning they received; from every point of view their fall was completely inexcusable. We must also add: For three years Christ had instructed them, done countless miracles before their eyes, and even equipped them with the power of performing miracles, mightily protected them, and by his majestic command, "If therefore ye seek me, let these go their way," Jn 18:8, had even, so to say, provided them with a pass. And yet we read, "Then all the disciples forsook him and fled." Oh, shameful unbelief, oh heinous unthankfulness.

And how did Peter, who by nature was a brave fearless man, act in this hour of temptation? Just a few hours before he had solemnly assured Christ, "I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death." Lk 22:33. Yes, in the greatest self-trust, exalting himself above all his fellow apostles, he had even said, "Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended." Mt 26:33. Yes, even though Christ had forewarned him of his fall, he still repeated, "Though I should die with thee, yet will. I not deny thee." Mt 26:35. And what happened? Peter indeed in blind fleshly zeal drew his sword in the Garden of Gethsemane as the mob laid hands on Jesus, and he followed his arrested Master from a distance. Alas when in the courtyard of the high priest's palace a 'maid stepped up to him with the words, "Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee," Mt 26:69, he denied it and said, "I am not. I know not what thou sayest;" and when later on another maid pointing to Peter said, "This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth," he denied it and gave the frightful answer, "I do not know the man." Yes, when at last still others recognized him in the light of the fire and cried to him, "Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech betrayeth thee," and when Peter saw himself exposed, "Then," we read, "began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man." Yes, he went out and wept bitterly; but he did not return to die with his Lord.

Oh my friends, what revolting disloyalty it was that all the disciples like cowards forsook their faithful Lord and Savior in his greatest need! And who can describe particularly the greatness of Peter's sin when three times he denied Christ and finally said, "I know not the man!" When we hear this, we must exclaim: You unhappy man, you say "I know not the man"? Were not you the one who cried out with agitated heart, "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God"? Jn 6:68,69, and you say, "the man"? Yes, while your Savior stood bound next to you, you cursed and swore that you did not know "the man"!? Oh Peter! Peter! how deeply you have fallen!

My friends, had not all the disciples, and above all Peter, deserved that Christ would not appear to them after his resurrection, yes, that he would hide his resurrection from them and seek out other disciples? Did not only women and strangers bury Christ and did not only women come to his grave, but no disciple let himself be seen there? they all in fear of the Jews hid themselves behind locked doors! First when the news came to them that the Lord had risen, which they deemed a fable, only a few made their appearance at the grave to investigate the matter. Therefore, had they not all deserved it a thousand times that Christ would have strictly forbidden the angels to say a thing of his resurrection to his disloyal disciples and especially to Peter? Of a truth yes! Yet he had sent angels who had to tell the women who came to his grave not only about his resurrection but also to pass on the message, "Go your way, tell his disciples AND PETER." Oh, what grace, what patience, what a love to sinners, even the greatest of them is revealed here!

You see: that the Easter message was also for the disloyal disciples is really a glorious proof that it is a message of joy for all sinners, even for the greatest of them.

If you, my dear hearers, have been unfaithful to your Savior, if perhaps after your conversion you let yourself be entangled again in the ways of this world; if you have become indolent in prayer, lazy in the use of God's Word, fearful in confession, oh, then do not think: Ah, if I had not been unfaithful, I also could today share in the Easter joy of all true Christians; but now for me Easter is not a day of joy but only a day of repentance and sorrow.

No, think rather of how unfaithful the disciples were; and yet Christ commanded that the Easter message be preached to them and himself even appeared alive to them on the day of his resurrection and thus filled them with the most inexpressible joy. Oh, rejoice then you who are also unfaithful with these unfaithful disciples!

Or, my dear hearer, if you have not only been unfaithful to your Savior, but have perhaps even fallen away from him completely into gross, heinous sins and shame, oh then do not think: Alas, if I had not fallen so deeply I also could this day joyfully join all believers in their holy songs of triumph and mock sin, death, and hell; but now I can do nothing but weep and sigh: Oh, Jesus, thou Lamb of God, have mercy upon me; help me, if I can still be helped!

No, think rather of Peter the great sinner who in denying his Savior three times had even cursed and sworn, and yet the Resurrected Lord called him first by name, so that he would not think that even though Christ would accept all the other disciples, he was not certainly excluded. Oh, you who have fallen, rejoice this day with Peter, the fallen disciple! This Easter Festival is to be the festival of also your rising again.

Or, my dear hearer, have you never till this very day believed in Christ? Have you perhaps been always and only concerned about earthly but never about heavenly things? have you been concerned about your happiness in this world

but never about your soul's salvation? Oh, then do not think: Alas, I have thought of my Savior too late1. Alas, that today first I should awaken from my sleep of sin! Oh that I a lost son, a lost daughter, would have been converted from my sinful ways earlier! Then today I also could exult with all Christendom; but Christ's joy-giving resurrection does not concern me.

No, no, do not think that way, but rather let this be your thought: Since the resurrected Christ again sought and received those into his kingdom of grace, who had been with him so long and yet had shamefully deserted him, he will be even more unwilling to reject you who have never tasted his grace; if you today cast yourself at' his feet, he will joyfully take you in as a shepherd takes his lost sheep which was again found.

II.

Well, my friends, we have seen: That the Easter message was addressed also to the deeply fallen disciples and even to Peter is actually a glorious proof that it is a message of joy for all, even the greatest of sinners. Therefore, let me also show you in the second place, that everyone who hears the Easter message should accept it with a truly joyful heart.

Will many a one now say that it is necessary to prove this to us? Is it possible that a sinner could hear the Easter message for all sinners without a joyful heart? I answer: It indeed seems as though this is impossible; but that is not only possible, but, sad to say, it happens only too often. Yes, most listen joyfully as long as the Easter comfort for all sinners, even the greatest, is presented to them; but then what happens? Very often this, as the Lord says, "They receive the Word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away." Lk 8:13. The Scriptures say that even godless Herod heard John the Baptist, whom he commanded to be killed to please an unchaste dancer, "gladly." Referring to John the Baptist, the Lord said to the blinded Jews, "Ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light." Jn 5:35b. Yes, the Book of Acts says that King Agrippa, otherwise so indifferent in matters of religion, was once so gripped by a sermon of Paul that he finally exclaimed, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." Acts 26:28.

Yet, my friends, all this is still not the true joy of heart with which every one should receive the Easter message. All this is merely a passing ecstasy, only a fire of straw which flashes up quickly into bright flames but is extinguished just as quickly and leaves nothing behind but smoke and ashes.

The joy with which the disciples finally received the Easter message was one entirely different. It was so great, that as Luke says, they could not believe for joy. The fact of Christ's resurrection, so much against all their expectations, surpassed all their hopes so greatly, was so unimaginably glorious, that they were as those who dreamed; they thought it could be only a sweet dream. Their heart was much too narrow to be able to embrace the flood of joy which wanted to pour into it through this message.

You see, that, that is the true Easter joy of a poor sinner. It is the joy of one who was sentenced to death but is suddenly overwhelmed by the news that he is pardoned. It not only tastes sweet by itself as the joys of heaven, but it also makes the heart sweet over against God and all men. Of course, it does not always manifest itself in loud exultation and rejoicing, but, glowing deep within the heart, it refreshes the person in body and soul.

Is a little bit of this joy also in your hearts? - Oh, blessed, blessed are you then; then the Easter Season this year has already become the prelude of a blessed eternity awaiting you.

The disciples, however, did not only rejoice during those first days of Easter, but the fires of joy kindled in them continued to burn and glow until their death. This joy had the effect that they despised all the joys, honor, and.goods of the world; on the other hand, even in the greatest trouble they confessed, "We are exceeding joyful in all our tribulation," so that. Paul joyfully let himself be beheaded and Peter joyfully let himself be crucified.

You see, the true Easter Joy is not only a deeply rooted but also a lasting joy. It accompanies the person throughout his whole life. It fills the entire heart of man, and out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh; it so changes his heart that he becomes another person, one who hates sin and looks on all earthly things as insignificant. This joy causes the rest to view him as a miracle; for it is the cause that he is happy when others are sad, and that he thanks and praises and extols God while others only howl and weep. He sings with Paul Gerhardt:

My heart for joy is springing

And can, no more be sad,

'Tis full of mirth and singing,

Sees naught but sunshine glad.

The sun that cheers my spirit

Is Jesus Christ, my King;

That which I shall inherit

Makes me rejoice and sing. (528,15)

Oh my dear hearers, God has commanded that today again this blessed Easter message be preached to you in order to fill your heart with true Easter joy! Then open your heart to this true Easter joy! Let neither the joys of this world, nor the cares of the world, neither the greatness of your sins, nor the huge number of your sins hinder you. Then even in this life you will be able with the apostles to make this your motto, "As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing." But in eternity the well of joy which was within you will then really break open, and be turned into a deep broad sea of joy, into a sea without bottom and shore. May Jesus Christ who is risen from the dead, praised here in time and there from eternity to eternity, help us all. Amen.