Mar 24, 2013
Discussion of lectionary texts for year C Easter, John 20:1-18 and Luke 24:1-12 by Robb McCoy UMC pastor and Eric Fistler UCC pastor.
Primary scripture
Luke 24:1-12 and John
20:1-18?
Decision to go with Luke or John can be a decision to treat Easter
as the end of Lent – in which Luke was the primary gospel, or as
the start of the Easter season, of which John is the primary gospel
in year C.
John is sneaky trying to take all the good days in the lectionary-
give Luke a chance!
Luke 24:1-12 and John
20:1-18
Two major themes in Easter:
a. Jesus
lives
i. Pigs
can fly – we believe in the impossible
ii. Hope
for the hopeless
iii. Life
triumphs over death
iv. Nothing
is sure except death and taxes – resurrection
b. God
has vindicated Jesus
i. Rome/Pharaoh/Herod/corruption/cancer/corporate
injustice/economic injustice – never have the final
word
ii. Life
everlasting – hope beyond hope
iii. Jesus’
life is vindicated by the resurrection- it is God seal on Jesus’
teaching and actions
1. Resurrection
is inextricable tied to crucifixion, life and
teaching
Witnesses- John and Luke offer witnesses- without the witness there
is no resurrection, without the witness there is no Good News – we
have to tell the story
a. Angels
witness to the women
b. The
women remember
c. The
Women witness to the disciples
2. Sometimes
we cannot hear the words of angels or see the empty tomb for
ourselves- we need to be told, we need to
remember
3. We
are invited into the story- we, humans, finally “get
it” (cf.
Luke 9:45; 18:34b).
Feasting on the Word: Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary -
Feasting on the Word – Year C, Volume 2: Lent through
Eastertide.
4. Skeptics-
don’t believe
a. Mary
Magdalene – possessed by seven demons - perhaps she is
babbling incoherently
b. They
have forgotten Jesus’ words and his actions (healing of
Mary)
c. Their
lives are not transformed – Jesus is dead
d. Crucifixion
– erase a person
e. Easter/resurrection
– transforms the person- transforms the community – transforms the
world
f. You
cannot erase a resurrected world
g. Easter
is about transformation! 1 Corinthians 15- you either believe Jesus
was raised from the dead- or you don’t.
Acts 10:34-43 –
Witness!! We are the continues ministry, the hands and feet of
Christ
Breaks the silence of Good Friday and Holy
Saturday
Dr.
Bill Long Article on Luke 24:1-12
Barbara
Brown Taylor Article on John 20:1-18