Bloghardt's Reflector

Then, we did just that. We nailed the Son of God to a Cross.

“Oh, the wormwood and the gall! Oh, the pangs His soul sustained!” (436, v. 2)

And... death. The earth quaked. The rock splits. The God who cannot die has died for you, for me.

As the heel of the Son of God was coming down to crush Satan for us, the Serpent struck first. And the bite, the sting, killed Jesus.

Satan thought He had victory. We thought we had victory too. Tucked away in the ground, we put the dead Son of God. Put some guards in front of the tomb to make sure God stayed dead, or at least to try to keep Him in the grave.

Are your eyes still on the Cross? If they have wandered, put them back there. For that's where the eyes of Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were on that Easter morning.

They had altar guild duty - they went to the tomb to tend to Jesus' body – His crucified Body.

Then, the earthquake for the Angel of the Lord descended from Heaven and rolled the stone away from in front of the tomb and sat right on top of it!

Then, to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

You see...The only dead men at the tomb of the Crucified Christ are the guards, who were scared so much that they became like dead men. So much for the soldiers guarding a dead God!

“You seek Jesus who was crucified. No mistake. There isn't another Jesus other than the One crucified, dead, and buried.” ¹

Christ has died. The same Christ has risen. He has risen indeed! Alleluia! There is no other Jesus who saves you and me than the One who went through Good Friday for us.

He has snatched victory from the defeat of the Cross. Life from the death. And Death, the Serpent, are done in from within death itself! From His cross and grave, Jesus has destroyed them all. He has ended death's dominion, kicked it in the teeth, and left death... well, dead.

And so right now, the Words of Jeremiah ring true. “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be My people.”

God is now our God. We are now His people. Even you and me, who would take our eyes off the Cross so that we can move on to what we think are more important.

Stuff about us, my hobbies, what I like to do, fun stuff that my kids do, my favorite tv show or movie. What is that is consumes your time and your attention? And when you do all those things, do you remember the Crucifixion and the Resurrection of Jesus?

How many people go to church today and will not hear about the Cross? Was that you? Did you think you had skipped the bad parts to get the good part?

Despite our forsaking God daily and much, Jesus has burst through death and hell, conquering all our foes. His death what makes us – even us - God's people.

His resurrection is the proclamation that the only God there is is the God who calls Himself “Your” God and calls us “My people.” He's happy to do that – because of the Cross.

This is the everlasting love of God in Christ Jesus: Jesus has died for you. No more death for Him. So, no more death for you!

In fact, you have already suffered the only death that you will suffer. In Holy Baptism you were buried with Christ. So, as He burst through the grave, you and your love ones will burst through your little graves too!

"And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you!”

The message carries on – from Angel to women, from women to Apostles. And as they were going with great joy, who should they run into other than... Jesus!

Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me."

“What is there left to fear? Is there anything that can now destroy you? He has faced and taken all that was coming to you, all that you are by your sins, your forsaking God, He was forsaken for in your place..”²

Being forsaken by God in hell is the big death. He died that death on Cross. So, eyes on the Cross.

And this morning, we see that He has made His way through our little death that puts us into our graves. Graves, which because of Him, will be empty too!

“And when Christ, who is your life appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory” (Col 3:4)

As He rose, you have been raised with Christ in Baptism. Now you are truly alive with Christ - to live, to serve, to pray, to sing, to praise, to forgive those who have sinned and hurt you, to tend to your weaker brothers and sisters, to care for for our families, to honor mom and dad, to help the poor and the beaten up, and most wonderfully of all, to love - finally love. To love with the everlasting love with which you have been loved and saved in Christ.

Mary and Mary Magdalene were met on the way by Jesus. Today, you go on your way too. But, on your way you will be met by Him at the Altar. There, He takes His Cross and Resurrection, and makes it yours. There He will meet you and feed you His Body and His Blood – crucified and now risen from the dead – for the forgiveness of all your sins. He will meet you, just as He promised.

Then let us feast this Easter Day On Christ, the Bread of heaven; The Word of Grace hath purged away The old and evil leaven. Christ alone our souls will feed, He is our meat and drink indeed; Faith lives upon no other. Hallelujah! (458, 5)

Eyes on the Cross, dear Saints of God. For with your eyes on the Cross, you understand Easter. The One who died for you on Good Friday, rose from the dead for you on Easter morning. Jesus, the Crucified, is alive and will never die again. You too, in Him.

Jesus Has risen from the dead! He has risen indeed. In the name of Jesus. Amen.