Year A – Easter Sunday
Full-text of the Appointed Lessons (RSV and NRSV), with instructions for lectors
April 5 – Easter Day – RCL
ILLUMINATION for the First Lesson
(and Alternate for the Second Lesson)
Easter Day, April 5, 2026
Acts 10:34-43
Peter had believed that the salvation offered through Christ comes only to the Jews, but now he realizes that the good news is meant for all people, and that God’s grace is available to everyone.
A reading (lesson) from the Acts of the Apostles:
(Lead in with) RSV: Peter opened his mouth…; NRSV: Peter began to speak…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc.
Revised Standard Version
Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the word which he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), the word which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses to all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and made him manifest; not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that he is the one ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that every one who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
New Revised Standard Version
Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
ILLUMINATION for the Alternate First Lesson
Easter Day, April 5, 2026
Jeremiah 31:1-6
Jeremiah presents a prophecy that the exile will end and that God will not desert Israel. It depicts the return from exile as a new exodus. The people will be joyful as their nation is rebuilt.
A reading (lesson) from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah:
(Lead in with) RSV and NRSV: At that time, says…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc.
Revised Standard Version
“At that time, says the LORD, I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.” Thus says the LORD: “The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the LORD appeared to him from afar. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin Israel! Again you shall adorn yourself with timbrels, and shall go forth in the dance of the merrymakers. Again you shall plant vineyards upon the mountains of Samaria; the planters shall plant, and shall enjoy the fruit. For there shall be a day when watchmen will call in the hill country of Ephraim: ‘Arise, and let us go up to Zion, to the LORD our God.'”
New Revised Standard Version
At that time, says the LORD, I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people. Thus says the LORD: The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the LORD appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin Israel! Again you shall take your tambourines, and go forth in the dance of the merrymakers. Again you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria; the planters shall plant, and shall enjoy the fruit. For there shall be a day when sentinels will call in the hill country of Ephraim: “Come, let us go up to Zion, to the LORD our God.”
ILLUMINATION for the Second Lesson
Easter Day, April 5, 2026
Colossians 3:1-4
Those who are redeemed by Christ have put away the old life of sin. We are now able to focus on spiritual things as we await the glory which is to be revealed.
A reading (lesson) from the Letter to the Colossians:
(Lead in with) RSV: Since you have been…; NRSV: If you have been…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc.
Revised Standard Version
Since you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
New Revised Standard Version
If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
ILLUMINATION for the Gospel Lesson
Easter Day, April 5, 2026
John 20:1-18
Mary Magdalene discovers that the tomb where Jesus lay is empty. When the Lord greets her by name, she recognizes that he is risen from the dead.
A reading (lesson) from the Gospel according to John:
(Lead in with) RSV: Now on the first day…; NRSV: Early on the first…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc. If read by an ordained person as the eucharistic gospel, conclude with The Gospel of the Lord.
Revised Standard Version
Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes. But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.
New Revised Standard Version
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes. But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, `I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'” 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.
ILLUMINATION for the Alternate Gospel Lesson
Easter Day, April 5, 2026
Matthew 28:1-10
Two of Jesus’ disciples encounter him after he is raised from the dead. Our Lord promises that he will meet his followers in Galilee.
A reading (lesson) from the Gospel according to Matthew:
(Lead in with) RSV and NRSV: After the Sabbath…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc. If read by an ordained person as the eucharistic gospel, conclude with The Gospel of the Lord.
Revised Standard Version
After the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the sepulchre. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. Lo, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Hail!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
New Revised Standard Version
After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, `He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
April 5 – Easter Day – BCP
ILLUMINATION for the First Lesson
(and Alternate for the Second Lesson)
Easter Day, April 5, 2026
Acts 10:34-43
Peter had believed that the salvation offered through Christ comes only to the Jews, but now he realizes that the good news is meant for all people, and that God’s grace is available to everyone.
A reading (lesson) from the Acts of the Apostles:
(Lead in with) RSV: Peter opened his mouth…; NRSV: Peter began to speak…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc.
Revised Standard Version
Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the word which he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), the word which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses to all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and made him manifest; not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that he is the one ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that every one who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
New Revised Standard Version
Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
ILLUMINATION for the Alternate First Lesson
Easter Day, April 5, 2026
Exodus 14:10-14, 21-25; 15:20-21
We hear the story of the deliverance of the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt. As God defeats their oppressive enemy, the chosen ones rejoice and give thanks.
A reading (lesson) from the Book of Exodus:
(Lead in with) RSV: When Pharaoh drew near…; NRSV: As Pharaoh drew near…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc.
Revised Standard Version
When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them; and they were in great fear. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD; and they said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us, in bringing us out of Egypt? Is not this what we said to you in Egypt, ‘Let us alone and let us serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be still.” Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. The Egyptians pursued, and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. And in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down upon the host of the Egyptians, and discomfited the host of the Egyptians, clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily; and the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from before Israel; for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians.” Then Miriam, the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and dancing. And Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.”
New Revised Standard Version
As Pharaoh drew near, the Israelites looked back, and there were the Egyptians advancing on them. In great fear the Israelites cried out to the LORD. They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us, bringing us out of Egypt? Is this not the very thing we told you in Egypt, `Let us alone and let us serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” But Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the LORD will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.” Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. The Egyptians pursued, and went into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and chariot drivers. At the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and cloud looked down upon the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into panic. He clogged their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, “Let us flee from the Israelites, for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt.” Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing. And Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.”
ILLUMINATION for the Second Lesson
Easter Day, April 5, 2026
Colossians 3:1-4
Those who are redeemed by Christ have put away the old life of sin. We are now able to focus on spiritual things as we await the glory which is to be revealed.
A reading (lesson) from the Letter to the Colossians:
(Lead in with) RSV: Since you have been…; NRSV: If you have been…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc.
Revised Standard Version
Since you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
New Revised Standard Version
If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
ILLUMINATION for the Gospel Lesson
Easter Day, April 5, 2026
John 20:1-10 (11-18 optional)
Mary Magdalene discovers that the tomb where Jesus lay is empty. When the Lord greets her by name, she recognizes that he is risen from the dead.
A reading (lesson) from the Gospel according to John:
(Lead in with) RSV: Now on the first day…; NRSV: Early on the first…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc. If read by an ordained person as the eucharistic gospel, conclude with The gospel of the Lord.
Revised Standard Version
Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes. [But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.]
New Revised Standard Version
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes. [But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, `I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'” 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.]
ILLUMINATION for the Alternate Gospel Lesson
Easter Day, April 5, 2026
Matthew 28:1-10
Two of Jesus’ disciples encounter him after he is raised from the dead. Our Lord promises that he will meet his followers in Galilee.
A reading (lesson) from the Gospel according to Matthew:
(Lead in with) RSV and NRSV: After the Sabbath…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc. If read by an ordained person as the eucharistic gospel, conclude with The gospel of the Lord.
Revised Standard Version
After the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the sepulchre. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. Lo, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Hail!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
New Revised Standard Version
After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, `He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Scripture quotations labeled NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.
The Living Word | Lectionary Preaching Aids
Exploring the Texts
“Alleluia! Christ has broken the bonds of death and hell, calling forth, in his victory, a people to share his New Life, not simply as a future promise but as a real and present mystery. Alleluia!”
“The proclamation of the resurrection is made quite clearly in the face of death. But doesn’t death mean the end? Isn’t death closure? Isn’t the body’s end dissolution and nothingness?
The answer is a story.”
“That Christ seems to be a gardener has cosmos-rippling overtones. Dürer captures this in his woodcut by giving us Christ in a big, floppy — almost goofy — sunhat. He stands erect with shovel over his shoulder ready for work, ready to till soil, ready to make green things grow.”
Preaching Today
Stuart Dunnan: Easter Comes Quietly
“And surely, this is how resurrection works in our lives as well: Our Lord appears to us and walks with us, and we don’t even see him until ‘our hearts burn within us’ and we eventually realize that God indeed has been with us in the love that surrounds us, so we have nothing to fear.”
Matt Marino: Jesus Delivers Life
“You can be gloriously alive in Jesus Christ. It can start today. Allow Jesus Christ to captivate and energize your life — place your trust in the risen one. ‘Rejoice. Don’t be afraid. And go and tell folk what you have seen.’”
Andrew Hunter: A Whole New World
“We are not alone. Many of us are standing at our own tombs, our places of despair. Fear. A future unknown. So much that is crumbling around us. But the Easter promise is that in these places of death, we shall find new life. The risen Christ will make himself known to us.”
Classic Texts
Martin Luther: A New Skin
“If you want to boast and take comfort in this preaching rightly, that by his dying and rising, Christ has helped you, then you must not remain in your old sinful life but put on a new skin. His dying and resurrection occurred so that you also finally would die with him to the world and become like his resurrection; that is, begin to become a new man.”
Neville Figgis: Surprise
“The Resurrection surprised the disciples. It surprises us still. That is strong evidence of its truth. This shows how false is the view that the story was created by faith. Faith to that degree was precisely what the disciples had not got.”
Gregory the Great: The Effort of the Search
“It is not enough for a lover to have looked once, because the force of love intensifies the effort of the search. [Mary] sought a first time and found nothing; she persevered in seeking, and so it happened that she found him.”
Articles on Christus Victor
Mac Stewart: Glorious Apparel
“‘The Lord hath put on glorious apparel.’ Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and he has wrapped himself in light as with a cloak. The glorious apparel that he now wears is the power of an indestructible life, the life that was the light of men and that the darkness has not overcome.”
Clint Wilson: Mary’s Little Lion-Lamb
“You see, the lamb that was slain … is also revealed as the Lion of Judah …. And he does not only serve as a sacrifice, but he moves beyond this to take his place in the authority of the throne, as John writes: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever’ (Rev. 5:13).”
Ian Olson: Resurrection and the Hope of the Future
“The gospel reveals a counterintuitive vision of God overturning the disorder and decay of his creation by submitting himself to death as a creature undergoing forsakenness. For contrary to our abstract conceptions of what ‘God’ must mean, God is not above defeat or ashamed of it.”
Articles on Resurrection
Elizabeth Anderson: Literal Resurrection and Spiritual Communion
“What actually seems to be (literally!) described by the Gospel accounts is something vastly stranger than either the mere resuscitation of a corpse or the mere subjective experience of Christ’s enduring presence — although, to be sure, either of those things alone would be a remarkable event.”
Mark Clavier: Easter Is Bonkers
“Easter explodes all the rules except the demand for us to believe in and set our lives by the craziest story ever told. Easter mocks every attempt to box it up, make it manageable, and reduce it to something comprehensible and boring.”
Deanna Briody: The Quiet of Eastertide
“The fact of Easter is actual and irreversible, bells or no bells, worship or quarantine, faith or fearful despair: it does not depend on our feeling it. Christ Jesus is alive, and just as he came to Mary, just as he came to John and Peter and the rest of the disciples, so he comes to us.”
Articles on Witness
Graham Kings: ‘Magdalene’
“Who is this woman facing this man?
Head lightly inclined,
Eyes wide open, gazing;
Hands uplifted, palms upward, surprised;
Gorgeously arrayed.
Who is this man facing this woman?
Coming from the right,
Profile clear, bearded;
Hand outstretched, palm down;
Gloriously apparelled.”
Retta Blaney: Bearing Witness to These Things: Actor Performs the Gospel of John
“John himself wasn’t an actor. He was a witness, so he’s not telling to entertain as an actor would. He’s saying, ‘Look, I saw these things. I was there.’ That’s what I hope to do. I just do it as if I’m John. The audience will realize they are seeing something different, not showbizzy at all.”
Christopher Yoder: Gardening in Easter with Lancelot Andrewes
“ … This profession of His, this day begun, He will follow to the end. For, He it is, that by virtue of this morning’s act, shall garden our bodies, too: turn all our graves into garden plots: Yea, will one day turn land and Sea and all into a great garden, and so husband them, as they shall in due time bring forth live bodies, even all our bodies alive again.”
