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Woman, why are you weeping? John 20:1-18  It’s the end of the road – or so the disciples think. Jesus is dead, he is buried, he is gone forever. That’s what the disciples think – or at least, that’s my interpretation. In this Gospel passage, Mary Magdalene discovers that Jesus’ body has been taken from the tomb and runs to tell the disciples. Immediately, Peter and one of the other disciples run to the tomb. No doubt out of breath, Peter enters first, and what he finds is only the linen cloths in which the body of Jesus had been wrapped. The other disciple enters the tomb and observes the same thing, and the Gospel states: for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. (9) Dejectedly, not running, the two of them simply return to their homes. The disciples have been with Jesus throughout his entire ministry. Repeatedly Jesus has shared with them that the prophetic scriptures must be fulfilled, that the Messiah must die and be raised from the dead, and yet – the disciples never fully grasped the need for this death. Even more to the point, they were unable to grasp the reality of the resurrection!  Is it any wonder? Let’s be honest – this truly is beyond our grasp, beyond our understanding as well - isn’t it? On their final night together, Jesus washes everyone’s feet – including those of Judas, whom he knows is about to betray him! Ever the rabbi, the teacher, Jesus says to his disciples: Where I am going, you cannot come. (John 13:33) This gift from God surpasses all understanding, all human understanding. This gift from God, this resurrection and victory over death, represents the essence of that which we profess to believe. The death of Jesus is not the end of the road, but is instead the very start of the resurrection journey and of the Christian life. Jesus says to Mary Magdalene: Do not hold on to me (17). Let go, Mary, for I am on my way to a place where only I can go, to the side of the Father. I am going there for you. So, Mary, you can stop weeping, and go and tell the others what my God, what your God, has done!  When I get to heaven goin’-a sing and shout, ain’t nobody there goin’-a turn me out.  (“O Mary, Don’t You Weep”, UMH 134)  Yes, this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  - Pastor Piet - Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008  [r/4/27/05]