Easter Greeting

I know this morning the tradional "ancient Easter greeting" will be echoed in churches around the world will be, "He is risen!" followed by "He is risen indeed!" But the first Easter morning greetings were a bit more complex (and a bit more ancient). Mark's gospel records that when Mary Magdalene "told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping," that Jesus was risen and that she had seen them, "they did not believe it" (Mark 16:11). Instead of responding, "He is risen indeed" they said something more like, "Huh? He is?" When Jesus appeared to two of them, "[t]hese returned and reported it to the rest" He is risen! "But they did not believe them either." Another, "Huh? He is?" The resurrection is too important to be reduced to an affirmation. It is the cornerstone of our faith, for as St. Paul argues, "If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith" (1 Corinthians 15:14). Real faith always includes a bit of doubt for without doubt we only have knowledge and we don't live by knowledge but by faith. One who has knowledge ceases from beeing a seeker and those with doubt remain teachable and open to truth. Most of us can quote Matthew 28:18-20 regarding the great commission, but scarce few can quote Matthew 28:17--"When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted." Worshipers and doubters side by side, going forth with love and in obedience to be first domino people who launched the gospel to the ends of the earth. Obedience does not take perfect knowledge but faith and God always can use people of faith.