Why Do You Seek The Living Among The Dead?
2021년 4월 4일Why Do You Seek The Living Among The Dead?
< Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord >
Today is the most important day in the liturgical year. What’s more, it also marks the most important event in the history of the world. It’s also the most important day of our lives. On this day, Jesus, a crucified rabbi, rose from the dead. This not only started the new religion known as Christianity, but more importantly revealed a new, more radical way of living in the world. It is essential to note that neither the faithful women, nor indeed any of the disciples, expected Jesus to rise from the dead. The women rose before dawn on Sunday to go to the tomb of Jesus to anoint his dead body for burial. Even the empty tomb did not fill them with joy. Rather, they feared grave robbers had stolen the body of Jesus. An angel, without wings but clothed in white, asked them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?”
There is a similar quote in the Jewish Talmud, the rabbinical commentary on the Torah. In the story of Moses confronting Pharaoh and demanding he “let my people go” in the name of Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews. Pharaoh has his scholars recite the long list of Egyptian gods: Ra, Isis, Osiris, Horus, Set etc. Pharaoh announces this so-called Yahweh is not on the list. Unfazed, Moses asks, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” Our God cannot be found among lifeless idols, neither can God be found in a grave. Our God is not only God of the living, God is God of life itself. The resurrection of Jesus declares right is stronger than wrong, light victorious over darkness, good more powerful than evil, and life triumphant over death. Our challenge is to live these truths, grounded in the belief Jesus is truly risen!