Easter Vigil 2007
Luke 24:1-12
April 7, 2007

This is a full evening. What with all this washing, anointing, eating, and drinking to do, we don’t have time for a longwinded sermon.

But we must a moment or two to note that the men in Luke’s Gospel story are, as usual, wrong. The women’s report of the empty tomb and the message of the angels is spot on. It is not, as the men suppose, an "idle tale." It is the truth. It is the good news. Jesus Christ is risen indeed.

What happens next in this service is further testimony to the truth of the resurrection. In a moment we will remind Hannah Li Je Shelfer that Christ came into the world, lived, died, and rose to new life for her. Then, in the waters of baptism, Hannah, too, will die and be raised with Christ. The good news continues because Christ is risen.

Next Ben, Lillian, Dustin, Chelsea, and Chandler will kneel by this font and we will lay hands on them, praying that the Spirit will endow them with everything they need to love and follow the risen Lord. We can confirm them in their baptism only because Christ is risen.

Then, invited by none other than the Lord himself, we will break bread and drink wine, recalling that Easter evening when Jesus took bread and blessed it, and broke it – and their eyes were opened and the recognized him. This thanksgiving meal – this Eucharist -- is possible only because Christ is risen.

Christ is risen. He is alive in this congregation. He is alive in the hearts of these young people. He is alive in the world, bringing in his kingdom.

Not for the first time in Luke’s gospel, the men are wrong, thank God. Easter is not an idle tale. Easter is the living, breathing truth of God.

Until he comes again, you and I are the living breathing, proof of Easter.