Easter Quotes – Bishop Mark Lawrence: Easter is the Great YES of God

Easter unflinchingly confronts our enemies, death and sin that would lock us in a self-justifying bondage, and plague our lives from start to finish. Christ’s death, however, is God’s No to sin. In the cross God reveals his hatred of sin as Christ dies to destroy it; and shows his love for sinners as he dies to free us of it. In Christ’s resurrection God speaks his Yes to life and human freedom, breaking the power of death. Donald Coggan, a former Archbishop of Canterbury put it well: “You may not like it. You may ignore it. You may deny it. But this is it. Take away the Cross and Resurrection from Christianity and you have a poor lifeless and maimed thing left…” And we must also say a dead religion dreadfully inadequate for our needs. Archbishop Coggan was right. We need to keep the Cross and Resurrection central. They tell us of God’s No, to death, and the fear that is death’s power; No, to sin and its tyranny of our lives; No, to fear that cripples us from living the dance of life freely; No, to the shame we don’t deserve and grace for the shame we do; No, to the loneliness that dogs our steps for the Risen One is with us always. Let me say again. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the Great Yes of God. It has left us an empty tomb and an open door. It will in God’s good time and grace sweep our lives clean of death and the unwanted relatives it brings into our homes. Even this Sunday as we say the words, “Alleluia. Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.” the joy of Easter may escort some these out the door. We can then live our lives in Christ, with Christ and for Christ freely, and for his sake for a hurting and broken world.

From Bishop Mark Lawrence’s 2012 Easter Message. 

Read the full message at TitusOneNine.

Mark 16:1-8,20

[I will be off-line for the next week. We are taking a vacation with our kids.]

Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” (Mark 16:1-3)
      LORD, we are faced with so many intractable problems and that are beyond our strength or ability to handle. Please roll away the stones in our lives that prevent us from going forward.

But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away–for it was very large. (Mark 16:4)
      God Will Make a Way http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zo3fJYtS-o
      Jesus, so many times you have solved the problem before we even got to what we feared. Thank you.

And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. ” (Mark 16:5-6)
      Holy Spirit, help us see and hear the witnesses you have raised up for us.

“But go, tell his disciples–and Peter–that he is going before you into Galilee; there you will see him, as he said to you.” (Mark 16:7)
      Jesus, help us share with others the good news of your resurrection and victory over death.

So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. (Mark 16:8 )
      Father, quicken our hearts and speed our steps to go forward with the good news of what you have accomplished through your son Jesus. Thank you.

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Mark 16:20)
      Holy Spirit, help us to be disciples who go forth sharing the good news “with signs following.” Amen.

A word received: I am resurrection and I am life.

Monday: 93, 98 * 66; Exod. 12:14-27: 1 Cor. 15:1-11: Mark 16:1-8
Monday in Easter Week Holy Communion: 16:8-11 or 118:19-24; Acts 2:14-22b-32; Matthew 28:9-15
Tuesday: 103 * 111, 114; Exod. 12:28-39: 1 Cor. 15:12-28: Mark 16:9-20
Tuesday in Easter Week Holy Communion: 33:18-22 or 118:19-24; Acts 2:36-41; John 20:11-18

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Start now reading and reflecting on the lessons for next Sunday so that you can receive all that God has for you (John 20:19-31; 1 John 5:1-6 or Acts 3:12a,13-15,17-26; Acts 3:12a,13-15,17-26 or Isaiah 26:2-9,19; Psalm 111 or 118:19-24).

***** Date: Mon, 09 Apr 2012
From: Nigel Mumford
Subject: Daily quote…
      Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. John 20:6-7
      The burial cloth now know as The Sudarium of Oviedo is traditionally believed to be the small cloth which was used to cover the face of Jesus of Nazareth immediately after his death on the cross. Verse seven is very significant in that “The cloth was folded…”
      At meal time, if the master of the house crumpled his napkin it meant that he was finished and the servant could clear the table. Now, here’s the thing, if the napkin was folded it signified that he was not finished and would return to the table. The face cloth was not crumpled, it was folded. Jesus left an unwritten message, He is not finished, HE IS COMING BACK.
      Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. John 20:8
      The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia. He is coming back, Alleluia.

Albany Intercessor