April 9, 2023

Today's Reading: Matthew 28:1-10

Daily Lectionary: Ex. 14:10-31, Heb 9:1-28

“He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.”  Matthew 28:6

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.   Christ is Risen!! Heard any good jokes lately? Believe it or not there were some Church Fathers who said that at Easter God played a practical joke on the devil by raising Jesus from the dead. They called it the ‘Risus paschalis — the Easter laugh,'”.  As Lutherans being serious and liturgical types, this might seem disrespectful and distasteful. But maybe there is something to this. The world needs a serious laugh, because everyone has become so serious.

As church people we can take ourselves much too seriously. Life can be hard. Life can give us fears. Life is painful. But Easter means that life is God’s, and God has the last word. So today why not smile, relax, and laugh. He is risen!

Because this is the one thing that actually matters, and if it’s not true, then everything else is pointless, and your life is just waddling towards the grave. But no, in fact, Christ is risen!

They killed Him! Crucified Him! The world, we all, turned our back on Him! The best friend we’ve ever had, and we betrayed Him! God Who has become our dear Brother! And yet our efforts  are a colossal failure. Jesus is right. Forgive them for they know not what they do.  We don’t know what we are doing, and we never really have. The world survives on grace and that is absolutely amazing.  Amazing enough to cause us to laugh a little or a lot.  Jesus told them pretty explicitly that He would be raised on the third day. And they run to the tomb, and see the Angel of the Lord sitting on the rock that was sealed shut. God sends his messenger to show and declare He sits on death and laughs.  “Death, where is your victory?”

This really is the most remarkable thing that has ever happened. Christ is risen! The women  run to the other disciples! ​I have seen the Lord!  Mary’s words are enough. ​ And ever since, the church has said these words, on this day, early on the first day of the week. ​I have seen the Lord!​ What joy! If a crucified Jesus is raised from the dead, death is overthrown! 

There will be more Resurrections. You will be raised, for death cannot grip you, for all you who have been baptized into His death have also been baptized into His Resurrection! He is not worried. He is not angry. He is alive! Truly alive! Be of good cheer and do not lose heart! Let out a little laughter and joy today.   Christ is risen! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O God, for our redemption You gave Your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross and by His glorious Resurrection delivered us from the power of the enemy. Grant that all our sin may be drowned through daily repentance and that day by day we may arise to live before You in righteousness and purity forever; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. - Collect for Easter Sunday

- Pastor Kent Schaaf is Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Little Rock. AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Jonathan Lackey is an LCMS seminarian.

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.