K Karpen: "Where's Your Resurrection?" (Sermon for Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026)

In Matthew's Gospel, resurrection happens multiple times, for multiple sets of people!

First, of course, for Jesus. Before the story even starts, before the women get to the tomb, before the angel opens the tomb, Jesus is already up. Jesus is already gone.

Resurrection then comes to Mary Magdalene and 'the other Mary' (how would you like to be known through the centuries as the 'other Mary'?). While they are on their way to share with the disciples the strange news of the empty tomb, Jesus himself confronts them! At first they fall down, and then they rise with a new message. A message of amazing hope.

Resurrection even happens for the Roman soldiers who were supposed to be guarding the tomb! At the appearance of a rather startling angel, the soldiers fall down as though dead. But then they rise to bring a dangerous word to the authorities - the person we were supposed to guard is gone!

And we know, because the risen Jesus promises it, resurrection will soon come to the disciples. It will come, even to those who denied and deserted him.

They question for us this Easter is this: Where is our resurrection?

K