Easter Words

I have been thinking a lot about words this Easter Sunday. What words do we use to describe Easter, and what words best described the disciples on that first resurrection morning?

I think a lot of times when people hear about the resurrection we are encouraged to be confident in something. On Easter morning, we are encouraged to believe in the fact that Jesus has literally risen from the dead. In arguing for the historicity of the resurrection in worship, we try to use the occassion of Easter to evangelize. Sometimes we are exhorted to have hope, because the story of the resurrection teaches us that nothing is impossible and nothing is not able to be overcome by those who believe. Although the Apostle Paul encourages some of these responses in later believers in Jesus, they were not the responses of the first witnesses on Easter morning. The gospels portray a more earthy, raw picture of the human response to the resurrection. These gospel accounts have a lot to teach us as well.

When we look at the accounts of the resurrection in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, we see that the first witnesses had several responses that are important for the journey of faith. Some of the descriptions of their responses are as follows:

"hearts burning within us"
doubt
amazement
wonder
emptiness
confusion
fear
loss
emptiness
anger

I guess I just wonder what would happen if on some Easter Sunday we would start with the emotions, the confusion and doubt that leads more organically down the road to the confidence and the hope down the road. Just thoughts.

Anne Rice's reflections on easter