March 26, 2003

"Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?" (Mark 16:3) The question which troubled the tiny band of brave mourners that first Easter morning weighs heavily today. The power of death is terribly real in acts of terror and threats of war, in the devastations of sickness and hunger, in tragedies both surprising and all too familiar. The deadly power of sin - dividing us from each other and from God is plainly evident in our world, our lives, and even the church.

Who will roll away the stone for us? The amazing news of Easter is that the unmoveable has been moved already. Christ is risen! God has raised him up! The power of the grave has proven no match for the power of grace. Sin's thick walls cannot restrain the free flight of the Spirit.

Breathing the fresh, open air of Easter morning makes life both joyful and more serious. For the love which rolled back the stone has set us free for love. We are propelled into the world for the sake of every neighbor, for the healing of the nations.

The stone is rolled back! The risen Christ is out ahead of us, leading us to life. "This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes." (Ps. 118:23)

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

ELCA News Service