A Woman was the First Witness

April 12^th 2009 Easter Sunday
Rev. Mark R. Bradshaw-Miller
“The First Witness Was a Woman”
John 20:1-18

I read somewhere that what many people come seeking an answer to this question on Easter: “Is it true?” Is it true that the tomb was empty? Is it true that Jesus’ death was not in vain? Is it true that it matters to my life, and if so, how? If those are you questions then I am supposed to provide some satisfactory answers. So what am I going to say? The comfortable, traditional, convenient, and sanitized answer is simply: “Yes, of course it is true. Now, where are we going for Easter, brunch, lunch or dinner?” But that is not the answer I am going to give. I will not say that because it is not authentic. After all, if the question is really: “Is it true?” Then we should walk carefully. Anything which has the ring of an easy answer should not be the word to which we cling as authentic witnesses. The good news is that there is something more and this morning’s scripture reveals this in its depth and beauty.

Mary Magdalene was the first person to see Jesus on Easter. However, unlike us, Mary did not go to the tomb expecting it to be empty. Instead, Mary goes to the tomb for reasons that are not clear. Maybe she is going to be closer to Jesus. Maybe she is going to provide ritual care to the body of a loved one. Or, maybe Mary goes to the tomb hoping to find that the events of the last three days were just a bad dream. Instead what Mary finds is what looks like the work of grave robbers. She reports this to the other disciples only to face disbelief.

The most intriguing thing about this passage is not how the men do not believe the woman, that’s cliché. Nor is it how Mary is unable to see Jesus when he is right in front of her. The most interesting and, I believe, important thing is that Mary goes and places herself in this painful place. It is only as a result of her willingness to go to the place of death that she becomes the first witness of our faith.

Mary’s faithful witness is one which gives us some important clues for our own journey of faith. Like Mary we need to be willing to go to tomb places in our lives. It is a reminder that we need to be present in the places where we least expect to find God. This can be a revolutionary action in our culture which is well practiced in the art of avoidance. In other words, we are called to be vulnerable for others, for ourselves, and for God. If we, unlike Mary, avoid the tomb places, we may very well miss the presence of Jesus. It is because Mary is present in the place of tombs that she: “Sees the Lord!”

When Mary returns from the tomb a second time her message to the other disciples is not meant to convince them of what happened. Mary has already faced their doubt and the reality of rejection. This does not deter her in the least. Instead, she simply shares what she has seen. Mary shows what it means to be a witness to the resurrection. What we learn from her witness is that being people of faith is not primarily about engaging in conversations or arguments about the historic nature of the resurrection. Being people of faith is not about convincing others about the validity or supremacy of our faith. And, being people of faith is not about developing air-tight orthodox formulations. While those things have their place, it is not on Easter. Instead, Easter is about being witnesses. Which brings us back to the original question: “Is it true?”

When Mary returns to the disciples she says: “I have seen the Lord.” When the others hear Mary’s witness no one questions her or runs to the tomb in order to find out if what she has said is true. Mary is a witness because she simply shares what she has seen. And that is what the life of faith is all about. So when confronted with the question, “Is is true?” I believe the best response is: “What have you seen?” Or, “What do you see?” When we focus on this question it focuses our attention away from trying to formulate proofs and towards honing our ability to perceive God at work in the world. So, when trying to answer the question of the day, “Is it true?” let me tell you what I have seen.

I believe we get glimpses of the truth. However, these glimpses do not always come in the ways or places we most often expect. But I have seen God at work overcoming the tombs, the places of death, even today. I have seen this at times when white folks begin to see others as equals and not recipients of charity or less than. I see God overcoming death when men see women as fully human and not objects for personal pleasure. I see God overcoming death when gay and lesbian folks are truly welcomed and affirmed as God’s children. I see God overcoming death when all children are welcomed and not merely as window dressing. I see God overcoming death when people share their food with one another. I see God overcoming death when men and woman gather in the basement of this church each week to affirm their sobriety. I see God overcoming death when neighbors and congregations join together as best they can to make a difference in this community. I see God overcoming death when a community of faith seeks to be a living witness to God’s reconciliation in a city so deeply divided along race and class lines. That is what I have seen… I too have seen the Lord. So, the question still remains: “Is it true?” My response is: “Do not take my word for it.” Instead go from here to the places of the tombs and with your eyes wide open tell me what you see! Then, come back and tell me: “Is it true?” Amen? Amen!