Easter Sunday ~ Chumbawamba and Alanis Morissette

Christ is Risen!

This is the joy of Easter - it turns out that there is a better tomorrow! And interestingly, the men who were following Jesus were not the first to find out. They had scattered, gone into hiding, lest they be next on the cross. But the women who had been with Jesus, they headed to the tomb to be sure Jesus was properly taken care of. Of course, we have the luxury of recognizing that Lazarus' sister, Mary, had already prepared Jesus for burial when she poured perfume over him a few days ago; but Jesus' followers did not yet know that.

While getting my haircut last week, I heard "Head Over Feet" playing on the radio. As I listened to it, I began to think about the reaction of the Mary's, particularly Mary Magdalene, as they visited the tomb before dawn that Sunday morning long ago. How do you react to the one who was dead, the one you have followed for years, the one whose teachings have totally changed your outlook on life? How do you come to terms with something as irrational as Jesus again standing before you? They clung to him and wanted to stay with him. Instead, Jesus wasn't quite done with the lessons; he sent them with a message and the women became the first evangelists (in the true sense of the word), the first to spread the good news of the Resurrection, the first preachers, if you will.

I will admit that "Tubthumping" was a late entry to this list - and a bit of an irreverent take on the Resurrection. But you have to admit the catchy refrain does speak to this rather well. Can't you just imagine Jesus walking through the garden that Sunday morning singing, "I get knocked down, but I get up again, you're never gonna keep me down." Well, I bet you can now! Enjoy having that song stuck in your head the rest of the day.

Christ is risen indeed!