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[Transcript of video]
Mark 16: 1-8
The phrase “What are you up to? “ has the connotation that there is something naughty going on, that we are up to no good, or at least doing something worthy of disapproval.
When we read about the ministry of Jesus, that is exactly what he was up to! Healing people on the Sabbath, talking with women, socialising with tax collectors, encouraging people to have their own personal relationship with God, disrupting the temple, offering new interpretations of ancient texts. Throughout his ministry Jesus was being subversive, Jesus was up to something!
And then, it all seemed to go horribly wrong. The arrest, torture and death on a cross were not part of the plan, at least as the disciples understood it, even though Jesus had tried to tell them.
That must have been a long, sad walk, carrying the spices in the early morning light, as Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome made their way to the tomb. In their haste and grief, they had forgotten an important detail - who would roll away the stone blocking the entrance to the tomb of their Lord?
Yet, when they looked up, the huge stone had been rolled away and a being, all in white was sitting there, proclaiming that Jesus had risen from the dead. The ultimate subversive act, the ultimate “What are you up to?” - cheating death itself! These faithful women looked up, from out of their grief and fear, to experience a miracle, a rebirth of hope and joy, a reclamation of all that Jesus had taught them.
When was the last time you looked up? When was the last time you altered your gaze, whether the gaze of your eyes, or the gaze of your heart or spirit? Every day when I sit at my desk, I can spend all my time looking at my computer screen, engrossed in important work, emails from around the world, meeting deadlines and timelines, keeping on task. If I take a moment to look up, I see a beautiful flowering shrub in the garden coming into bloom, the clouds rolling across the sky, even a cheeky squirrel running across the fence. Taking that moment renews my spirit, reminds me of the miracle of creation and draws me out into the world beyond my laptop.
Jesus got up to all sorts during his time on earth. As his followers, if we take time to look up, whether physically or spiritually, we might find something that will inspire us to do even the smallest thing to bring the joy, peace, love, hope and justice that Jesus promised here on earth. So, what are you up to?
Have a blessed Easter.
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