Remember a time when you were younger and you received some sort of remarkable news? Maybe it was a new toy, a family vacation, a report card filled with A’s, or the arrival of a puppy or a game console you’d been dreaming of. Whatever it was, it sparked a fire within you, a desire to shout it from the rooftops, to tell everyone you knew about it. You couldn’t wait to share the excitement, to see their faces light up just as yours did. I can remember feeling that way about my first car, my first real drum set, the joy of getting married, and then the life-changing moments of being a parent and grandparent. The thrill of those moments made me want to tell the world, because they were so good, so worth sharing. And even when the news seemed too fantastic to be true, like the possibility of something happening that felt almost unbelievable, that excitement never quite went away.
Now, think about that feeling. It’s a universal experience, isn’t it? We love sharing good news, especially when it’s something that changes us or lifts us up. Whether it’s a personal achievement or a milestone in someone’s life, sharing our joy isn’t strange or unusual; it’s part of what makes us human. We want others to celebrate with us, to share in the wonder of it all. And when it comes to the greatest news of all, the story of Jesus Christ, our hearts should be just as eager. Because what could be more worth sharing than the good news of Resurrection, of new life, and hope that surpasses all understanding?
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.
—John 20:11-181—John 20:11-18
In the Gospel of John, we see a powerful picture of this sharing. Mary Magdalene, grief-stricken and uncertain, stands outside the empty tomb. She weeps, not fully understanding what has happened, her heart heavy with loss. Yet, even in her confusion, she encounters Jesus, though she doesn’t recognize Him at first (this encounter is a blog unto itself – wow). When she finally does, she is overwhelmed with joy. She runs to proclaims, “I have seen the Lord,” and her life is forever changed. This encounter reminds us that even when our faith feels fragile, even when the world around us seems uncertain, Jesus is alive. His resurrection is the cornerstone of our hope, and it’s meant to be shared boldly. Like Mary, we are called to be witnesses, to tell others about the risen Christ, to proclaim with joy that death has been defeated and life has begun anew.
Reflecting on this today, it’s comforting to remember that even those closest to Jesus, His very disciples, doubted and struggled to believe at times. The tomb was empty, but their minds wondered if someone had taken His body. They didn’t even recognize Him when He first appeared after His resurrection. Yet, despite their doubts, the truth of the resurrection eventually broke through. And so, we too can be filled with a similar exuberance and dedication to share this story. Because the message of Christ’s resurrection isn’t just a distant event in history; it’s a present reality. It’s an invitation into a transformed life, one of hope, love, and new beginnings.
And this hope is still very much alive today. I’ve stood in the very places where Jesus walked after His resurrection, and I know there are countless people nearby those places who still yet believe in Him, waiting to be told or reminded of this good news. Many walk past the empty tomb every day without the true realization of the gift that’s offered to them: life more abundant, love that never fails, salvation freely given. The story of Christ’s resurrection is not just a comforting memory; it’s an ongoing invitation for everyone to experience new life here and now. We are called to tell this story, to share the hope we have received, and to invite others into the joy of His victory.
Today, I invite you to remember that moment when you first heard of Jesus’ love for you. Recall that moment when you entrusted your life to Him, when your heart burst with the desire to share His story. That excitement, that passion, is still alive. The resurrection is a story worth telling every day, because Jesus is still at work in the world. His story is the greatest story you will ever tell, and it’s a story that transforms lives, yours and theirs.
And so, I leave you with this blessed reminder: You have a great story to tell. You carry within you the love, forgiveness, and acceptance of the Savior. May we all be encouraged to share this good news boldly, trusting that those around us will be just as eager to hear and believe. For in sharing His story, we participate in the greatest victory of all: life eternal, love everlasting, and hope that never fades.
You and I can walk in the reality of the Memorial Acclamation, a traditional element of liturgy, that boldly proclaims: “Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again!”
Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
—Book of Common Prayer2
Luke Gambill 