MAKE THE TOMB SECURE!

MAKE THE TOMB SECURE!

            In Matthew’s version of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, the political and religious leaders gather together to plan their strategy, after Jesus is executed as a revolutionary by the Roman government.  They felt that he was a dangerous person because he was inspiring others to see themselves and see others as children of God rather than as subjects of Rome. So, in Matthew 27:65-66 the Roman governor orders guards to be put at the tomb of the executed Jesus and that a huge stone be placed at the opening of the tomb.  That 27^th chapter of Matthew closes with these words:  “they… made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.” 

            Make the tomb secure!  Make the tomb secure! It has been the call of the fallen powers since the beginning – proclaim that death and violence rule!  It is the orders of Jeff Sessions and Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell and the governor of my home state of Arkansas, Asa Hutchinson.  Make the tomb secure!  The powerful ministry of Jesus of Nazareth had political implications from the beginning.   As he helped people turn towards God, of necessity we would, sooner or later, turn away from Rome or America or racism or sexism or militarism or materialism as the center of our lives.  McConnell and Sessions and Trump and Hutchinson all understand how dangerous this stuff is – make the tomb secure!  Don’t let life and love out into the world!  Have everyone dominated by fear and death!  That’s why Arkansas wants to kill so many people in its execution chambers before the end of this month – death rules!  Make the tomb secure!

            In this Eastertide, we are asked to remember this story of death and fear and domination and to take it seriously – but, not too seriously!  In chapter 28, Matthew ridicules and makes fun of “make the tomb secure!”  It begins in comic fashion – an angel comes and pops that huge stone out of the tomb.  It is such a powerful force that it is described as a great earthquake.  And, then the angel comes forth – not a fierce, fire-breathing, sword-bearing angel of Mel Gibson movies - but rather a young man who hops up on the rock and sits on it and who speaks to Mary Magdalena and the other women who have come to anoint the dead body of Jesus.  The powerful guards are stunned – they shake all over and go into a catatonic state, petrified with fear. 

            Then the stunning news – death does not rule:  the tomb is not secure.  The power of life and love and justice has come out of the tomb, and that same power of life and love and justice bids us to follow Jesus, by no matter what name we call God, or even if we don’t believe in God.  The four horsemen of fear – McConnell, Sessions, Trump and Hutchinson- all tell us that the tomb is secure, but we know a different story in this season.   Another Magdalena – Magdalena Garcia – put it this way yesterday on her Facebook page:  “Jesus lives – how about His followers?”  We are asked to put our trust in this story of life and love and justice.  Hard to do – we are so afraid, so confused, so shaky.  Yet, it all began with people like us.  Here we go – the tomb is not secure!