Easter Anyway

By Mike Glenn

This Easter will mark the first Easter Sunday since 1981 that I haven’t preached the Easter message. For most of my life, I’ve been preparing to preach at least two, if not five or six, Easter sermons. I would be wiped out for the next two or three days. Preaching Easter isn’t easy, but it got better once I learned I didn’t have to jazz up the story of the resurrection. After all, we’ve been preaching this message for over 2000 years. I wouldn’t find a clever angle on the resurrection no one had ever seen before. In fact, no preacher will find a new angle to the story. Easter is complete within itself. 

Besides, how do you jazz up the Easter story? Sometimes, I’m amazed God didn’t strike me down with a bolt of lightning for my amateur arrogance of thinking I could improve His story.  The older I get, the more I’m amazed at God’s mercy. But that’s another story. 

Yes, it’s a mixed bag when you’ve been doing something for all your life and then, you aren’t doing it anymore. I’m used to preaching on Easter Sunday. This year, I’ll be listening. I wonder if the world will be any different because I’m not preaching?

No. 

That shouldn’t surprise us though. No one was there to preach on that first Easter Sunday morning either. The stone was rolled to the side and Jesus walked out – the Risen Savior, Conqueror of Death and Giver of Life. “Jesus said this would happen,” I heard an old preacher say, “if no one else will praise Him, the rocks will cry out. Look there,” he went on. “The rock is telling everyone Jesus is gone. He’s risen. A rock preached that first Easter sermon!” 

And Yes, the world will always be different because of Easter.  

Whether I say anything or not. Whether any of us believe it or not, it’s still Easter. He’s still risen. He doesn’t need our validation, approval or permission. Easter is God’s great Yes to every no the darkness wants to speak. That changed everything. That changes everything. Hallelujah! 

No, Jesus doesn’t need me to say anything this Easter.  He’s never needed me to say anything. He’s allowed me to for a long time and for that, I’m very grateful. But if another preacher never said another word about Easter, the sermon would still be there. That same sermon declared by the rolled away stone, echoing in the emptiness of the tomb where Jesus once laid. 

He is not here! He is risen! And He’s waiting for you on the road ahead…