Here we are on the edge of Easter. We are walking alongside the people on the road to Jerusalem. We are watching the triumphant entry. We, like they, are reminded of the contrast of the sovereignty of Jesus and his humble, surprising ride in to the city on a colt. We are remembering the Passover meal he shared with his disciples. We are, once again, stunned by the betrayal of his friend Judas. We are saddened by the arrest of an innocent; we are confused by Pilot’s role: why not release him? We, like the women, are standing in the shadow of the cross, watching as torturous hours go by. We cannot believe that Jesus can forgive them, forgive us. We hope we can be forgiving as well. And we are yearning for the promise of new life. We hope that death is not the end, that it cannot hold him back, hold us back. We look forward to the discovery of the empty tomb, and the hope it brings to us . . . In these days and times, when faith is a fleeting feeling not so sophisticated and easily maligned. In these times when some religious people persecute one another in the name of their god and judgment is the comfort in which they wrap themselves. In these hours, when James Cameron and Simcha Jacobovici claim proof that Jesus was buried with his family, what does Easter mean? What does the resurrection mean?

“The Resurrection Morning” One of 11 Tiffany Windows in the Sanctuary of Middle Church (Click on the image to enlarge) ©2007 Michael Klinkhamer Photography. Used with permission of the photographer. www.klinkphoto.com Michael Klinkhamer is an Amsterdam based photographer who has shot for high profile Dutch magazines as well as emerging fashion and entertainment clients. He shot this photo while working on a piece to run in Miljonair magazine about “ Louis Comfort Tiffany and Laurelton Hall—An Artist's Country Estate.” This is a special exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum, which references Middle Church’s windows.

There were stories of gods dying and rising again in classical literature.

The Greek myth of Adonis, the Egyptian myth of Osiris, and the Babylonian story of Tammuz are a few.

In Judaism, there are several stories of resurrection. Ezekiel’s vision of the restoration of dry bones being restored to a living army, Daniel’s vision of an angel who says, “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12.2) are just two. In the first Century BCE the Pharisees and the Saducees, two sects of Judaism, debated the resurrection and the Pharisees, who believed in the afterlife, won the debate. Orthodox Jews still believe that there will be a revival of the dead—techiat hametim. In fact, the second blessing of the Amidah, the central thrice-daily Jewish prayer is called Tehiyyat ha-Metim (“the resurrection of the dead”) and closes with the words m’chayei hameitim (“who gives life to the dead”).

Conservative Judaism’s liturgy generally includes the traditional Hebrew text affirming belief in bodily resurrection, but its thinkers are divided.

Many Conservative prayer books use an ambiguous translation into English that leaves open the possibility, but not the requirement, to believe in resurrection. Reformed and Reconstructionist Jews reject the resurrection, and so pray m’chayei hakol (“who gives life to all”).

It is probably because Christianity began as a religious movement within first-century Judaism that the teachings of the Church retained the belief in the resurrection of the dead. Most Christian churches continue to uphold this belief. Jesus raised a little girl from the dead by saying, Talitha Coum (“little girl, get up”). He arrived too late to save his friend Lazarus from death, but raised him from the dead. And Jesus himself was raised from the dead on the third day after his execution. The hope of the resurrection of the faithful is part of the Christian claim. Life goes on after death.

What do you think? What do you believe?

Here is what I believe. I believe God can do anything. Any thing. I know that people have been in the jaws of death and lived. Stuck sharks in the eye and been spat out of their mouths. Been diagnosed with cancer, given three months to live and lived for ten years. I have been to the hospital bed of the dying and seen them recover and live strong, long lives. I believe God can do anything. Any thing. My faith does not rest on the resurrection, but I sure can believe it. If God can make the ocean roar, if God can make the sky fall down, if God can heal our wounded souls, then why not that, too?

I think Easter is about that, about God being able to do anything. More than we can ask or imagine. God can make a way where there is no way. God can heal, fix, change, transform, equip, strengthen, and give us new life.Happy Easter. Happy Resurrection. Oh, Happy Day!

Love, Jacqui

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