It
is always difficult to be hurt by someone we love and care for. It is especially
difficult to be betrayed by a lover, close friend or partner.
When I have been betrayed I have felt rage, almost uncontrollable anger and
a very deep desire for revenge - a dish which is certainly better served ice
cold. When we are let down by those we love and care for, or when those whom
we think should stand by us desert us, we can be dragged into the depths of
despair.
Over the past few days we have recalled the last events in the life of Jesus where he no doubt struggled with these emotions as those who were closest to him let him down, denied knowing him, betrayed and deserted him.
Judas, one of his closest friends, was so addicted to power that he wanted to force Jesus to lead a revolt. He betrayed him with a kiss. An act of tender intimacy became an act of treachery. Sometimes those closest to us have betrayed us with similar acts.
Peter, his reliable second in command was so addicted to fear that he denied knowing Jesus so as so save his own skin. Sometimes when people have found out the truth about us they have denied knowing us, being afraid to be associated with us.
Most of Jesus' male friends ran way from him, and were too scared to stand with him at the foot of the cross. They were addicted to shame not wanting to be seen with a convicted criminal. We can understand Jesus' sense of loss because people were too ashamed to be seen with him.
The utter desolation of Good Friday, symbolised so graphically by the church being stripped of all its ornamentation, was worst moment for Jesus who felt that even God had forsaken him. Those who stayed at the cross and watched must have been devastated and broken. The went back to the places they were staying numb and spent the next 36 hours in shock and pain.
But then, early on the Sunday morning, before the sun had risen, something strange and wonderful happened which gave those broken people hope and which gives us hope and faith all these years later.
Mary goes to the tomb and finds it empty. In her horror she runs to tell Peter and he and John rush to the tomb to find, as the hymn puts it, "the folded grave clothes where his body lay". They saw that the tomb was empty, that the clothes of death had been flung away and they started to believe.
Jesus has risen; he has made all things new. Death and disaster are no longer the last word. Addiction to all that drags us down can be broken. Love is greater than hatred, the ransom has been paid and we have been freed from the curse of sin that drags us down. We know that death is no longer the end, there is no guilt in life and no fear in death for those of us who follow the Risen Jesus.
Alleluia, Jesus is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia!
This
sermon was first preached in the Metropolitan Community Church of Manchester.
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