Easter Sunday Sermon

 Christ is Risen

 He is risen indeed

 Alleluia,alleluia

Last Sunday we heard of jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem with the crowds voices ringing with the words “Hosanna to the son of david”. on Thursday we remembered our lords last meal with his disciples and on Friday we read the passion according to Matthew where the words Hosanna changed to the “crucify him, crucify him” and now here we are on The day following the crucifixion a day that was a black for the followers of Jesus. Not yet realising fully the truth of the resurrection, their hopes lay in ruins, Jesus the man who performed miracles ,who healed the sick ythe man who chose not to  run away and save himself. he chose humiliation he chose nails and the cross  he chose death to save us, to bring us back to God, healing our sins.

 the disciples they were on their own. Their Lord was dead. All that they could do for him now was grant him a decent burial, so the women went to work preparing embalming spices with which to anoint the body.

Among the women were Mary the mother of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. With others they had travelled with Jesus on his journeys, taking care of his day-to-day needs. They had followed him to the cross and stood beside him through the long day of his dying, and had clung together as they shed tears of bitter grief.

According to some historians, Mary Magdalene and Mary of Bethany were one and the same. It is commonly believed that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute - though in fact no mention of this is found in any of the Gospels. She had been delivered by Jesus of 'seven devils' - though this could also have applied to ma ny that he encountered. Whatever the facts, it seems certain that Mary Magdalene had found forgiveness and new life in Jesus, that she loved her Lord and had served him faithfully.

Now, heartbroken, early on the morning of the third day while it was still dark , Mary goes to the tomb to discover that  the stone has been rolled away.  The body she had come to tend is gone, so she does what I think we would all do and she runs for help, but to be honest the disciples that come don’t seem to provide much support, they looked saw that the body had gone and left. then  I n despair, through her tears  asks the man standing outside to tell her when' i t has been taken.

At first she does not recognize his voice. may be her grief is so overwhelming that her senses are dulled, she is confused. It is only when he says her name “mary” that the she realizes to whom she has been speaking to all the time.

How many times have you walked along the street and uttered the words “oh ,sorry I didn’t recognize you”

I read a story the other day

a 6 yrs old girl was drawing a picture one day. her teacher said “what are you drawing”.the little girl said”I am drawing a picture of God”. The teacher was surprised and said”but do you know what god looks like”. the little girl carried on drawing and said “they will in a minute”

this morning morning prayer included the Song of Christ Glory

Christ Jesus was in the form of God, •

but he did not cling to equality with God.

  He emptied himself, taking the form of a servant,

and was born in our human likeness.

 Being found in human form he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.

Therefore God has highly exalted him,

 and bestowed on him the name above every name,

 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth;

  And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father

Chris took on human, he became one of us.

 we, you and I are made in God’s image, so would recognize God if you meet him in      Bridport, of course you would.

He is in you, he is in the person sat next to you, in acts of kindness you receive, he is in the person who supports you in times of difficulty,

Isaiah  41.13  reading from the message

That’s right. Because I, your God,

 have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go.
I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic.
 I’m right here to help you.’