All of us have our interpretations of Christ’s empty tomb.
Some will argue the resurrection of the son of God, but 2.4 billion Christians worldwide will beg to differ.
The Rev. Chip Stapleton, senior pastor at Highland Presbyterian Church in Haymount, will find himself this Sunday morning as the sun rises assuring us that indeed “He is risen” at the 7 a.m. Easter Sunrise service in downtown’s Cross Creek Park.
The ecumenical service includes the Rev. Frederick D. Culbreth of First Baptist Church on Moore Street; the Rev. David Elks, interim pastor at First Baptist Church on Anderson Street; the Rev. Michael W. Garrett, senior pastor at First Presbyterian Church on Ann Street; the Rev. Craig Morrison, executive director of Fayetteville Area Operation Inasmuch; the Rev. Skip Walker, St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church; the Rev. David W. Woodhouse, Hay Street United Methodist Church; the Rev. Christie Gravely, associate pastor at Highland Presbyterian Church; and the Rev. Jeff Shaver, associate pastor at First Presbyterian Church.
“The title of my sermon is ‘The Sun Rises,’” Stapleton says. “The sun pun is at least partly intentional, as I plan on talking at the beginning about our need for regular reminders of the hope and promise of the empty tomb and the light that breaks through the darkness, signaling a new day.”
But how could a 33-year-old itinerant preacher be sentenced to death by Roman Governor Pontius Pilate, suffer and die on the Calvary cross and rise from the tomb? How can a man die and come to live again?
Bible scripture tells us Mary Magdalene equally was mystified when the faithful follower of Jesus first visited the empty tomb after Christ’s crucifixion.
‘Because of God’s amazing grace’
Stapleton acknowledges it can be a perplexing question.
“For some, the cross and the empty tomb represent God’s victory over the powers of death,” he said this week in preparation for Sunday. “For others, Jesus’ passion represents God ‘paying the price’ for sin once and for all, liberating humanity from guilt and shame.”
“Others argue that Jesus’ suffering testifies to God’s solidarity with all who suffer today, offering divine companionship and hope amid anguish. Still others emphasize how the story functions as an illuminating critique of human hatred, violence and scapegoating or as a moving portrait of God’s merciful love, even to the point of death. Others contend that the heart of the story is God’s creative, subversive redemption, transforming what is arguably the worst thing in the world — the Roman cross — into the best — the ‘Tree of Life’ — thereby proclaiming God’s intention to redeem the whole creation in the end. Others, of course, combine two or more of these perspectives.
“I once heard the many and varied theories of atonement, which are all trying to get at the divine mystery of the cross as a kind of cathedral, an architecture with many entrances,” Stapleton said, “and to insist on one avenue alone is to deny the hospitality and richness of God’s redemptive work.”
As you can see, the resurrection of Jesus can be perplexing, even to men and women who preach the Holy gospel.
“The mystery of the cross is open to various interpretations,” Stapleton said. “No single one has the corner on the truth or is the official position of orthodoxy.”
Perhaps it’s safe enough to say that the resurrection is in the heart of what we individually choose to believe.
“As I have grown and matured as a person, in my faith and as a pastor, I have become convinced that the details of how you understand the ‘how’ of the cross and the resurrection are much less important than the ‘why,’” Stapleton said. “And, from my perspective, the ‘why’ and the ‘what’ is an answer as simple and clear as they come.
“Why the cross and the empty tomb?
“Because of God’s amazing grace and abundant love for us,” Stapleton said. “What does it mean? That there are no lengths to which God would not go to reconcile himself to us, his beloved children. This, of course, doesn’t mean that every theory of the atonement is equal or valid, but if it is centered on God’s love for us and his unstoppable desire for a relationship with us, I am not inclined to argue.”
Epilogue
There’s just something about an Easter sunrise.
Some of us recall many years ago when the Rev. Cureton Johnson, then senior pastor at First Baptist Church on Moore Street, led the sunrise service. His sermon on that chilly Easter was titled “It’s a Big Deal.”
Johnson’s message resonated: the resurrection of Jesus mattered, and it matters still.
Come this Sunday, the morning dew will grace the green grass overlooking Cross Creek Park in anticipation of the sunrise that will reflect from the glass windows of Dogwood State Bank that stands so tall along Green Street overlooking Cross Creek Park.
“All are welcome,” said the Rev. Mike Garrett. “Bring a lawn chair. In the event of rain, services will be held in the chapel at First Presbyterian Church.”
The Highland Brass will provide Christian music, Garrett says. An offering will be taken in support of Fayetteville Area Operations Inasmuch’s ministry in support of its mission of reaching out to our homeless.
And the Rev. Chip Stapleton will remind us that the tomb of Jesus Christ has been empty for more than two centuries.
“He is risen,” Stapleton will assure those of Christian faith. “He is risen indeed.”
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
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