brb --Jesus

So, when we were last in worship (if you attended a Good Friday service) we were reminded that Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried. 

More than likely, when we are in worship again—either for an Easter Vigil service (tonight) or an Easter Sunday service (tomorrow), we will celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. 

So, sometime—between Friday at say, three o’clock and Saturday evening (when vigil services begin), it happens. 

The resurrection. 

Odd, isn't it.  Because it’s most likely without fanfare, no trumpet blasts, no alleluias.  Holy Saturday passes in our house full of special events and activities.  We have a special breakfast, we dye the Easter eggs, we prepare the food that will be our Easter feast, I clean and polish my church-wear, put the touches on the Easter worship service, and get ready to celebrate Easter.  In some ways, it’s like every “normal” Saturday with chores and activities and time to be monitored and carefully parceled out to various things that need attention. 

But today is really the day—isn't it?  The day of the Church’s greatest celebration—Christ being raised—yet, the celebration that WAITS until tomorrow!  (And you though Christmas Eve was hard-waiting!) 

I was reminded again this morning that tradition tells us that Jesus spent the hours between the crucifixion and the resurrection harrowing the halls of Hell.  In these hours full of activity in our house, so is Jesus busy in his—or at least the entirety of places Christ’s kingdom reaches and touches.  Not dead, after all.  Busy.  Oh, he die; yes.  And just as surely, was raised.  But there is for a resurrected Jesus to begin setting right between Friday and our discovery that Jesus was—or IS—alive! 

I know.  You and I are dying to ask, “How long was he dead,” or was it simply one of those near-death experiences” we read and hear about.  We have a thousand other questions, too! 

Isn't it enough to say simply that God raised Jesus?  That the road to resurrection goes through death.  But that the resurrection, well, maybe it doesn't just WAIT until Sunday morning—like we think it should to match up with all of the Easter sunrise services. 

This weekend, some friends in Boise, ID at Southminster Presbyterian are sharing this Easter-y message—“BRB, Jesus”—which I take to mean, “be right back,” –Jesus. 

And, by golly, I believe that’s the incredible, amazing, and almost unbelievable word of hope.  Life is going on.  Jesus dies.  But Jesus is raised, and is at work putting the world right—almost, right under our noses.  It doesn't wait, as in a heavenly boarding lounge where the flight is delayed for 3 days!  Christians have never celebrated that way, anyway.  It’s never been 3 full days between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning—or as most have celebrated it, historically, between Friday afternoon and Saturday evening (vigil time!).  No, and in that time (sometime between Friday afternoon and Saturday evening or Sunday morning) GOD’S UNDYING LOVE FOR THE WORLD is most fully LOOSED! 

Jesus doesn't wait—even as we take this day to watch and pray amongst our busy-ness, watching and praying for signs of the hard to imagine, difficult to understand, “how does he do it” questions, the Easter egg dying and recipe trying of Holy Saturday.  For those whose lives have become like hell (and even for those of us whose lives may not be as hell-ish), Jesus is at the door knocking—today.  God be praised! 

We’ll probably wait until tomorrow to celebrate it.  We’ll call it resurrection in the morning.  But for right now, it’s like the election night coverage that is “projecting” the winners while the ballots are still being counted.  By morning—or even before—and you might have heard it here first (or probably not)—Jesus is being raised! 

So, are you looking for Jesus, today, Church?  Are you seeing Christ, O people of God?  Are you even watching—because I know a lot of you are going to be preoccupied with the Final Four coverage this evening! 

Please.  Go on.  Go about your day.  But be looking, be watching, for the signs are there.  GOD’S UNDYING LOVE IS LOOSED.  And we’re celebrating real soon! 

And there’s probably still time.  You can get your roast in the oven and still get to Church!  There are Vigil celebrations and Easter services all over the place!  Find one.  Join it.  Because if nothing else, the celebration will remind you again to be looking for Jesus everywhere! 

© Rev. David Stipp-Bethune; Teaching Elder and Pastor, The Presbyterian Church of Llanerch, Havertown, Pennsylvania