A new beginning

HOW DOES the John 20:1-18 account sit with you? Do you just read or hear the story and move on back home like some of the disciples? Or do you experience a blurry vision of this empty tomb?

Some people find a literal approach to the resurrection narrative to be sufficient. Others find a less-literal approach to be more manageable. It appears to me that it is okay to have these understandings in conversation. One does not have to be set above the other. Maybe even more helpful is the literary theology that invites the person of faith to reflect on the deeper side of truth that calls for belief in God and possibilities which the eye alone does not always provide.

To be clear, the gospel accounts are theological reflections which seek to give an understanding about Jesus. They are not accounts, written employing modern journalistic tools of inquiry and research.

In this John 20 account, Peter looks into the tomb and only sees the linen wrappings and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head. The other disciple who also went inside the tomb, “saw and believed”. Then when Mary looked in, she saw two angels in white. Then the story says that she saw Jesus but supposed that he was the gardener.

Now, if those who went to the tomb were giving literal testimony in a court of law today, they would have tremendous difficulty convincing the court! Thankfully, the gospel writers were not seeking to testify in a court. Might it be that each one saw wisdom in allowing the individual to speak to his or her own experience of the crucified, yet risen Lord?

In the midst of loss and love and pain, do we all have different experiences? People mourn in different ways. People experience grief in different ways. However, as the story evolves, the gospel accounts present an understanding that with God, new possibilities are realised. The unexpected happens. What was thought to be the end becomes a new beginning. What was supposed to end in darkness, instead sees new light.

No wonder Easter has also come to be associated with other images of spring and new life. Eggs, for example, are symbols of potential life forms. In different cultural and religious traditions, symbols are also used to celebrate light and life and love and joy.

Resurrection for Jesus was interestingly much more than an event. For Jesus, it was also a person. Hence his stating, “I am the Resurrection.” One perspective would therefore suggest that if you are in Christ and Christ is in you, then you already have resurrection with you. And if you were buried with him in baptism, then indeed you have also risen with him.

The text is a lesson in the journey of religious faith as Mary Magdalene is presented as having “seen Jesus standing there but did not know it was Jesus”. For some readers, this is all mumbo-jumbos. However, the gospel writers present us with an understanding of faith that is not always as clear as some Christians would have us believe today. For the gospel writers, faith and doubt are often travelling companions. Like Mary, many have come to realise that faith weeps and faith searches.

Maybe you have had moments of doubt too concerning resurrection and this whole Jesus story. Maybe you too have spent time by that tomb of doubt and despair as you see only death and loss. Maybe you too have wondered if light can ever shine through the darkness of the empty tomb. Well, look no further. Like Mary Magdalene, you too may realise that Christ is here.

Christ is risen! Risen in our midst and risen in our lives. Risen in the journey of faith and risen in how we live and move and have our being.

Due to some historically negative approaches to Mary Magdalene and women in general, it is easy to miss the text that has come to present her as the apostle to the apostles. John 20:18, the writer notes, “Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’; and she told them that he had said these things to her.” What a contrast with highly esteemed Simon Peter who denied Jesus three times. “I do not know him” in contrast with, “I have seen the Lord.”

Maybe faith is less about fine historical details and more about a personal experience, albeit within community. Maybe the quest for the historical Jesus is to be held in tension with the present and personal witness to Christ who appears to those who seek the light.

May you too sing with Casandra Star Armstrong’s version of An Easter Hallelujah:

Three days went by, again they came

To move the stone, to bless the slain

With oil and spice anointing Hallelujah

But as they went to move the stone

They saw that they were not alone

For Jesus Christ has risen, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

A blessed and holy Easter to everyone.

Fr Sean Major-Campbell is an Anglican priest and advocate for human dignity and human rights. Send feedback to seanmajorcampbell@yahoo.com or columns@gleanerjm.com