Magyar Egyház, 1970 (49. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1970-03-01 / 3. szám
10 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ MAGYAR CHURCH Dezső Abraham: EASTER JOY “He is not here: for he is risen” Matthew 28:6 The Bible gives us a very detailed account of the last days in the life of our Lord. From the triumphant entry of Christ into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, to the hill of Golgotha where he was crucified, we can read the sad and sorrowful events in the gospels. Who would not be touched by the Last Supper of Christ in that Upper Room in Jerusalem? Can anyone remain neutral as our Savior prays in the garden of Gethsemane, and in the middle of night soldiers come to capture Him and take Him before the High Priest? Then recall the accusations brought up against Him, and although he found no guilt in Him, Pontius Pilate handed him over for crucifixion. The sad events on Good Friday, the road to Calvary and the death on the cross among the two malefactors all fill our hearts with sadness as we make preparations this year for the holiday season. Early in the morning on the third day after Good Friday, Mary Magdalene and the other women went out to the cemetery to embalm the body of their Master. They had a noble idea based upon the customs of that time but they never achieved their goal. The greatest miracle happened on Easter morn. The grave was open, the large stone from the front of the grave was rolled away and the guards were nowhere around, for Christ had risen from the dead, and he was not there anymore! Stunned and amazed First, this miracle on Easter morn filled the hearts of the women with fear and doubt. Everything came down upon them so suddenly and unexpectedly that, they knew not what to say or do. They were stunned and amazed. Can anyone imagine the thoughts, fears, doubts and questions and all that must have gone through the minds of these women in the cemetery? The conversation that they had among themselves, going out to the cemetery, asking the questions from one another: “Who shall roll away the stone from before the grave for us,” was all forgotten when they saw t lie stone gone, the tomb empty and heard the voice of the angel telling them not to be afraid, for He was not here. First they may have thought that someone else came earlier and took the body away from that grave; or perhaps they were just puzzled for they could not imagine what could have happened! All their hopes were gone, for the message was: “He is not here!” The tomb was empty. Easter joy Out of their first fears and doubts the women soon arrived to the true Easter joy, for the message confirmed, He is not here — for he is risen! When ihe full knowledge of the words gradually penetrated the hearts and minds of these women they realized that their disappointment in not finding the dead body of their Savior has been turned to a greater joy. Christ is not among the dead, for He is risen, again He is their living Savior! They thought to themselves, fp e shall see our Master again, we shall hear Him as He will speak to us! Just as in a magnificent musical composition alter the introduction the central theme of the symphony permeats the heart and soul of the audience, so in this gospel message after the few introductory words of the angel the central and most important message of the Easter story filled the women with joy: Christ is risen, indeed! The center of every Christian witness is the assurance that Christ is risen from the dead. These women rushed hack to the city and reported everything to the disciples who thereupon went out to the grave and saw it empty. Then, as the days rolled by, Christ appeared to His disciples. He spoke to them, ate with them, and they all testified that their Lord who was dead has risen and lives. Many tried to discredit this miracle and destroy the faith and joy of Easter. Some denied certain aspects of the revelations, others appealed to reason, and did not take the account of the Bible seriously. Today in our troubled world, when godlessness attacks the church and diverts the individuals from the faith, it is good to emphasize this important fact of the Holy Scripture, that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead, and lives, for this faith in Him is the basis of our religion and life.
