Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Preaching
A Journey Through the Psalms: Reflections for Worried Hearts and Troubled Times
Preaching the Psalms Cycles A, B, C
Object:
Today, Christian people everywhere celebrate an incredibly absurd notion. Through the cultural overlay of bunnies and chocolate is found the shocking assertion that death is not the end. In a world where death is treated as the final sanction, the ultimate finish, this crazy notion asserts itself once again.
Today there are "glad songs of victory" (v. 15) as an open-mouthed and amazed people stand at the door to an empty tomb. Today this group rises with shouts and gasps as the voice of the holy says, "I shall not die, but I shall live!" (v. 17). Today we flaunt a world that wallows in death and insist that life wins in the end. Even though the "stone" was rejected by the builders of this world, we claim it now as the "cornerstone of a new reality."
In this psalm we see the seeds of a new reality planted, awaiting germination on this resurrection day. It is a new reality in which the definition and use of power have been completely up-ended. "Death," as we read in Revelation, "is no more." It is a reality where the "proud and mighty are scattered" (Luke 1:51), and where the first are now to be last. It is a reality where the dividing walls (Galatians 3:27) erected to keep people apart and alienated from one another have come down in an avalanche of love and compassion. It is a reality where the fear that is used to manipulate and manage is cast out by the "perfect love" (1 John 4:18) of this resurrected Lord.
It's Easter Sunday.
Today, an invitation has been issued to enter into this new reality as a community of faith. It is an invitation that comes with an RSVP. How is it that the church will respond? Will the faithful take the lilies, plant them in the backyard, and get on with business as usual? Will the church simply send back the card saying that we are unable to attend?
No. This new reality, this shining new life is "the Lord's doing," and the call comes to the church to embrace it anew. The call comes to the people gathered to rise up and say the closing words of this psalm with a slight twist. "This is the reality that God has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Let us rejoice and choose to live together in it!"
Today there are "glad songs of victory" (v. 15) as an open-mouthed and amazed people stand at the door to an empty tomb. Today this group rises with shouts and gasps as the voice of the holy says, "I shall not die, but I shall live!" (v. 17). Today we flaunt a world that wallows in death and insist that life wins in the end. Even though the "stone" was rejected by the builders of this world, we claim it now as the "cornerstone of a new reality."
In this psalm we see the seeds of a new reality planted, awaiting germination on this resurrection day. It is a new reality in which the definition and use of power have been completely up-ended. "Death," as we read in Revelation, "is no more." It is a reality where the "proud and mighty are scattered" (Luke 1:51), and where the first are now to be last. It is a reality where the dividing walls (Galatians 3:27) erected to keep people apart and alienated from one another have come down in an avalanche of love and compassion. It is a reality where the fear that is used to manipulate and manage is cast out by the "perfect love" (1 John 4:18) of this resurrected Lord.
It's Easter Sunday.
Today, an invitation has been issued to enter into this new reality as a community of faith. It is an invitation that comes with an RSVP. How is it that the church will respond? Will the faithful take the lilies, plant them in the backyard, and get on with business as usual? Will the church simply send back the card saying that we are unable to attend?
No. This new reality, this shining new life is "the Lord's doing," and the call comes to the church to embrace it anew. The call comes to the people gathered to rise up and say the closing words of this psalm with a slight twist. "This is the reality that God has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Let us rejoice and choose to live together in it!"
