Recently I’ve been thinking about the Easter story because it is easy to lose the focus of the literally earth shaking events of that time even though our faith is based on them. With the distance in years we can just see it through a historical lens or be critical of all the bystanders thinking we would never have behaved that way had we been there. But as I reflected, I wondered, “Were you there…?” For I know I was.
I thought of Peter, the go-getter of the group who was always the first to answer and come up with the big ideas. We read and shake our heads at his bluster. But I know on my best days, I’m quick to volunteer for things, I read a request for help and think, “I can do that” and I add it to my list. Maybe I promise to provide things, or faithfully uphold someone in prayer through a difficult situation. Then, hours or days later, I realize I forgot my commitment or I make excuses as my energy or my faith flags. Then I’m ashamed because I know I let not only others but Jesus down. So, was I there? Yes, I was there.
I’m not sure what kind of soldier you had to be to get the job of crucifying people or making sure they were dead before you took them down from the cross and piled up the bodies. But it was a job that apparently had some downtime and perks, because we see that as they waited for Jesus and the others to die, they had time to play a dice game. I wonder did they sit on the ground to the side and keep an eye on the crosses. Did they do this to distract themselves from the noise and agony of death and the anguish of family members that were all around this place? But in the midst of death they carried on with their petty games and divided up the spoils. It may seem a distant idea, but some meditation on their actions helped me to see a pattern emerging. It’s easy for me to turn from the horrors of the daily news and distract myself on social media rather than to do things. It’s easy to claim that we are just doing our job and completing the things that are required of us without looking too closely at some of the more unsavory tasks that have been part of the requirement. We can ignore pleas for help here or not pay attention to the needs of another there. On another level every day I benefit from the discomfort and suffering of others without knowing it, the children or the underpaid who work for a pittance so that I can enjoy a plethora of shiny objects deemed essential to my comfort. So was I there…? Yes, I was there.
Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea came at night to claim the body. These were quiet followers. I get the feeling that Joseph or Nicodemus might have been able to swoop in at any time with their influence and at least question what was happening. But they didn’t. Nicodemus came with 75 pounds of spices along with the alabaster pot of cream that demonstrated his love and his wealth. But it came late. They came and did what needed to be done. They rolled up their sleeves and treated the body. I’m sure they were appalled to look on the nail holes, see the pain on our Lord’s face, and to face in a very visceral way the suffering he had endured. We read that Nicodemus came at night. Have you been quiet about declaring your faith in the daytime, before crowds, of being afraid to speak up for the right cause? I’ve also turned up late for some events and rolled up my sleeves and worked or made some kind of contribution I hoped would cover my shortcomings. But maybe it would have meant more had I been there earlier so people could have felt my support and love. So, sadly, I was there too.
I can see Mary wandering aimlessly in the garden on Easter day. She had forgotten the message of hope that Jesus told her – just like daily I forget what I read in my Bible notes. She was panicking, and in her crisis, nothing made sense to her. Have you been there? I’ve been there so many times. Even as I get older I still lose focus of the lessons I know, I’ve tried and tested; reminders to focus on God’s plan and the assurance that “I am with you always” in particular. But put me in a crisis situation and I can lose all sense of direction. Mary wasn’t even seeing straight when Jesus asked her what was happening. She thought he was the gardener! He didn’t lecture her, he didn’t remind her what he said, he didn’t rebuke her – he just called her name – and in so doing all became clear and she remembered the real message of Easter. She had frantically been looking for him, but he found her. When you have been in a crisis, have you heard Jesus call your name? Do you know he is looking for you? Sometimes we need to stop the other voices and the “what ifs” to listen to Jesus.
So while I ponder the Easter message again this year, I realize the Easter story is not in the past. It is our story now. Were you there? For I know I was there, which is why the message of Easter is relevant to my life every single day!
Ephesians 2:5 - it is by grace you have been saved.
Updated 2025 :)
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