Easter Letter 2015

“When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?’ And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid” (Mark 16:1-8, ESV).

                                                                                                March 5, 2015

Dear Members and Friends of Second Reformed Church,

            What were the women thinking as they found the tomb empty and heard the witness of the angels to them?  We’re told – the women ran to tell the disciples, and the women were afraid.

            We often come away with the image that the women went to the tomb to anoint Jesus for burial, and when they got there, they found that His body was gone.  And the angels told them that He had risen from the dead, so they ran home, changed into their best clothes and Easter bonnets, got the disciples and their kids, and had Easter dinner while they watched the game.

            What we see is them running to tell the disciples:  to tell them that Jesus’ body was gone, but they had received joyful news from angels that Jesus had risen from the dead, though they didn’t see Him.  They ran with joy, but they also had no proof that Jesus had risen.  They were repeating what they heard from supernatural beings, who may not be willing to speak to the men.  And they were women, who didn’t have high standing as reputable witnesses.  They were afraid that they would not be believed; they were afraid that they didn’t even believe what they were going to tell them.

            If you told someone that Jesus physically rose from the dead which proves that He is God the Incarnate Savior Who is victorious in saving a people for Himself that God gave to Him, and you were asked to prove it – what would you say?  Would you be afraid?  Would you doubt?

            Join us for the worship of the Living God:

3/15/15 Lent 4            

 Luke 24:13-35 “The Road to Emmaus:  Hospitality”

3/22/15 Lent 5

 Luke 22:39-46 “Praying God’s Will”

3/29/15 Palm Sunday

 Mark 11:1-11 “Hosanna”

4/2/15 Maundy Thursday 7 PM

 Exodus 12:1-14 “The Lamb”

4/3/15 Good Friday 7 PM

 John 19:31-42 “That You Also May Believe”

4/5/15 Easter

 Mark 16:1-8 “Fear”

In His Service,

            Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr.