"terror and amazement" (Mark 16:8)

    When is the last time that you experienced these two reactions to something in your life:  terror and amazement"?  Maybe even today!  But if we think of it, probably we can all come up with a close call with tragedy or death, or expecting to hear bad news, and instead hearing good news, or something bad happens, but then also something occurs to help us handle it in a positive way.  I know I can certainly come up with a few examples of any or all of the above!
    In this Sunday's Gospel reading, we hear about the three followers of Jesus who first saw the empty tomb and saw and heard the words of the angel, "....Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified.  He has been raised".  
   Yes!  That qualifies as bringing the response of "terror and amazement"!!
If I had been with Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, I'm very sure that I could have used those words, and a few others, to describe my reactions!
    So now we have heard these words and the Easter Gospel accounts many times (for me, 67 years of reading, hearing, studying them).  So it may be a stretch for any of us to experience the same thoughts and actions as we read about in this Sunday's Gospel, UNLESS....we apply them to other circumstances in our lives.  Like ...almost being in a car crash....having cancer, and then hearing the words "remission"....the death of a loved one, but trusting in the hope of the resurrection for all.
    The message of Easter is all of this!  As we follow our Savior and Lord through His suffering and death and resurrection, and beyond!  Because Jesus not only was raised on that first Easter morning.  But He is now the Risen One!!  And He now comes to us in the words spoken from this week's Scriptures, and in the bread and wine of Holy Communion, and to all of those baptized as He dwells in and with us always.
    So let us receive the message of this Holy Week, including the Good News of the Resurrection.  For it has a powerful and glorious impact on each and every one of us.  For in the crucified and risen Savior there is Good News, Peace, Hope and Eternal Joy!!  And that will apply to all of our lives.  For the Risen Lord is with us now and forever!!

Blessings,
Pastor Steve