Sermon for Easter Sunrise: "Easter Exodus"

+ Easter Sunrise – March 31^st, 2013 +

Redeemer Lutheran, HB
Series C: Job 19:23-27; 1 Corinthians 15:51-57; John 20:1-18

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Alleluia! Christ is Risen! (He is Risen indeed. Alleluia!)

“I will sing unto the Lord for He has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider He has thrown into the sea.” (antiphon for Easter Sunrise)

I will sing unto the Lord for Christ has triumphed gloriously; death and his rider He has thrown into the grave behind him.

I will sing unto the Lord for Christ has triumphed gloriously; the angel rests upon the stone rolled away, mocking death. Death is undone. Christ has put the grave in its place. The Scriptures must be fulfilled.

I will sing unto the Lord for He has triumphed gloriously; Mary Magdalene and Peter and John saw the folded linen cloths and the empty tomb where Jesus lay.

I will sing unto the Lord for He has triumphed gloriously; and the angel asks, “Why are you weeping” for this is no time to weep. Christ is risen. Death could not hold him and neither will it hold you.

I will sing unto the Lord for He has triumphed gloriously; Why are you still weeping? Whom are you seeking? For the good and gracious Gardener has fallen into the earth like a grain of wheat and died. But now he rises and bears much fruit.

I will sing unto the Lord for He has triumphed gloriously; Jesus speaks her name, “Mary.” And she believes. Faith comes by hearing.

I will sing unto the Lord for He has triumphed gloriously; Fear not Mary, fear not, oh Christian haunted by your sin and death…I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One. I died and behold I am alive forevermore; and I hold the keys of Death and Hades.

I will sing unto the Lord for He has triumphed gloriously; And because He has died and risen, death no longer has dominion over you. Death is dead. Your sin is forgiven. The devil is powerless. And you are free. In Christ you too will rise again.

I will sing unto the Lord for He has triumphed gloriously; Now go and tell your friends and neighbors the Good News as Mary told the fearful disciples. Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again.

I will sing unto the Lord for He has triumphed gloriously; For Christ’s death has reversed everything. The Just for the sinners. The Master for the slaves. The Free for the captives. The Physician for the sick. The Happy One for the wretched. The Rich One for the needy. The Seeker for the lost. The Redeemer for the sold. The Shepherd for the sheep. The Creator for the creature.

Now let the victory song begin. Blow the trumpets. Call a feast.

Rejoice now, O heavenly choirs of angels;
Rejoice now, all creation
Sound forth, trumpet of salvation,
And proclaim the triumph of our King.

Rejoice too, all the earth,
In the radiance of the light now poured upon you
And made brilliant by the brightness of the everlasting King;
Know that the ancient darkness has been forever banished.

Rejoice, O Church of Christ,
Clothed in the brightness of this light;
Let all the house of God ring out with rejoicing,
With the praises of all God’s faithful people.

(Exsultet of the Easter Vigil)

             For the Son that was lost is now found. He who was dead is now alive. The Temple that was destroyed on Good Friday has been raised again on the third day. The Greater Jonah is expelled from the belly of the earth. Christ walks out of the valley of dry bones wounded and scarred, but alive in your flesh and bone. Job’s Redeemer, and yours, stands upon the earth having fulfilled his hope and ours. Today we receive our Greater Brother Joseph back from the dead – what we meant for evil, God meant for your good. The Greater Isaac has returned from the sacrificial mountain alive and well. And the Second Adam leads Adam’s descendants back into paradise through His death and resurrection.
"O death, where is thy sting?

 

O Hades, where is thy victory?

Christ is risen, and you are overthrown!

Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen!

Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice!

Christ is risen, and life reigns!

Christ is risen, and the dead will not remain in their tomb!

For Christ, being raised from the dead, has become the first-fruits of them that have slept. To Him be glory and might unto the ages of ages." (John Chrysostom)

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.