The
Collect
Easter
Even
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G
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RANT, O
Lord, that as we are baptized into the death of thy blessed Son, our Saviour
Jesus Christ, so by continual mortifying our corrupt affections we may be
buried with him; and that through the grave, and gate of death, we may pass to
our joyful resurrection; for his merits, who died, and was buried, and rose
again for us, the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
31 The Jews
therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain
upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,)
besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken
away. 32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of
the other which was crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus,
and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: 34 But one of
the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood
and water. 35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and
he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. 36 For these things
were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be
broken. 37 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom
they pierced. (John 19:31-37)
THE
GREAT SABBATH
In
order to redeem us from or sins, it was necessary that Jesus be perfect in
obedience to the Law of Moses. He never failked in that obligation and,
therefore, remained the only One born of woman able to save us. He never
took His Father's name in vain, honored His Father (in heaven AND on earth)
& mother, never told a lie, never stole, never killed or hurt, never
committed adultery, never coveted, and always kept the Sabbath Day according to
the Law. Jesus even kept the Sabbath during his time in the Garden Tomb.
We are
told that the women were most faithful in remaining at the cross and then the
Tomb on the eve prior to the Sabbath (Friday afternoon). And many
women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee,
ministering unto him: Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother
of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children. (Matt
27:55-56) We know that Mary, the mother of Jesus, and John even remained at the
foot of the cross. These same women were courageous in following Christ, even
in death, to the Garden Tomb. And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other
Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre . (Matt 27:61) These kept
watch as long as possible prior to the beginning of Sabbath about 6 PM. (Friday
evening). When the constraint of time dictated that they retire to keep
Sabbath, they went to their lodgings. There they must have been tortured in
their minds over the events of the crucifixion. Mary Magdalene must have
remembered, with profuse sorrow and tears – for she had shed many in times past
– on that very sad and mournful Sabbath Saturday.
These women had watched every detail of the burial of Christ how two powerful
men (Joseph of Arimathaea & Nicodemus of the Sanhedrin) had laid Christ in
a new Tomb to conform with scripture prophecy. The Tomb was,
interestingly, hewn out of a rock with only one possible entrance – otherwise
completely secure. Interesting also is the fact that the Rock of our Salvation
Himself was placed in a tomb hewn out of a rock. Noteworthy as well is the fact
that both Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus had previously been `secret'
disciples, but now came openly in the face of danger to claim the body of
Christ. In every instance from the moment that Nicodemus came to Christ under
cover of darkness, the Scripture thereafter ALWAYS refers to Nicodemus at the
one "which at first came by night." That is the emboldening influence
of Christ on true believers. We assume a courage that we never had before.
Now, the women watched carefully and marked the Garden Tomb for a prompt visit
as soon as Sabbath was past.
There was much mischief afoot in Jerusalem in those days (times never change,
do they?) , yet Mary Magdalene, a defenseless woman, made her way through those
dark streets, outside the gates, and to the Garden Tomb while it was yet dark.
It was an inexplicable love that drove her there. She went seeking a dead body
to honor, but found a live Savior to worship! What do we learn of this love? Firstly,
we learn that love comes EARLY! The human love of Mary was strong and early,
but the divine love of Christ and His angels was even earlier. Though human
love, touched by grace, is warm and sweet, it can never outrun the perfecting
love of Christ. Secondly, Love is mighty and powerful. Though the
love of a mother can move tremendous weights, the Love of God can move
mountains, and open the rock hewn tombs of its object.
"Looking
at some trouble lying
In the dark and dread unknown,
We, too, often ask with sighing,
`Who shall roll away the stone?'
"But
before the way was ended,
Oft we've had with joy to own,
Angels have from heaven descended,
And have rolled away the stone."
Thirdly, we find that Love is comforting. Remember what the great
angel said to Mary when she came to the opened Tomb? "Fear not ye:
for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified (Matt 28:5) The
first word of angels to God's people is always, "Fear not!" They
always bear messages of joy and evidence of hope: He is not here: for he
is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. (Matt
28:6) How difficult for human ears to believe the great hope of angels! But
Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down,
and looked into the sepulchre (John 20:11) Often our greatest sorrow
comes when Jesus, unbeknownst to us, is standing at the ready by our sides. Fourthly,
Love sends us outward to those who need to share in it. Mary Magdalene was the
first to carry the full Gospel to the disciples. "Go tell His disciples
that He is risen from the dead." Have you experienced that kind of
love – the kind that compels you to go out and tell others that Jesus has
risen?
Fifthly, Love gives promise. Love is overjoyed to tell of good
news. "He goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see Him."
Are you poor and without means? Christ has gone before you already for He
"had not where to lay His head." Have you been betrayed
by a friend, or deserted by your bosom companions? Christ has preceded you
there. "All the disciples forsook Him." Have you been
saddened by the passing of a friend or family member? Christ has preceded you
there. "Jesus therefore groaning in Himself cometh to the grave."
(of Lazarus). Are you faced with the nearness of the `shadow of death?' Jesus
has preceded you there as well. "He became obedient unto death, even
the death of the cross."
Christ died the death of the righteous. He arose on the third day and thereby
made our way Light and Life. We no longer need fear death, for there is no
death to those who love Christ. Today, we dress in the garb of a dark Sabbath.
Tomorrow we shall wear the white robes of rejoicing. Are you ready?
Night
in the Garden
By Bishop Jerry Ogles
Judas then, having received a band of men and
officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and
torches and weapons . John 18:3
Out of
the darkest Halls of Hell
Came
the marchers with torches raised.
Into
the Garden quiet and still
They
wandered forlorn and crazed.
Up to
the Sovereign Lord of Love
Their
spears shining bright in the mist
With
arrogant air and a hateful shove
They
took Him who wouldn't resist.
Now to
the head of Scribe and Priest
Was
the Savior led that night,
And to
Herod's Court and Pilate's Seat
Where
Right gave way to the Night.
To the
craggy heights of the Lonely Skull
They
took Him and laid Him down
And
into His Hands of Love they drove
Iron
spikes with a terrible Sound!
On His
Brow a thorny Crown He wore
And
His flesh was torn and bruised.
His
Heart of Grace grew cold and sore
As the
Spirit of Life was loosed.
The
world of woe a Hope has found
In the
Promise made sure by His Death
And
the Saints of God with Faith abound
In the
Fields that their Lord has blessed!
