COLUMN: Grey Matters – Resurrection changes everything

“For I do not seek to understand in order that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand. For this also I believe – that unless I believe I shall not understand. ― St. Anselm

In the Easter story found in John 20 we see Jesus’ disciples running around. First Mary Magdalene running back to the disciples after seeing an empty tomb, then Peter and John running to the tomb with Mary behind them. John 20:8: “Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)”

Remember what Jesus said to Peter at the Last Supper when He was trying to wash Peter’s feet? “You don’t understand now, but later you will.” Now inside the empty tomb they see and believe but still don’t quite get it. Once again, understanding would come later and affirm their faith in the moment. Do you ever feel like that? “I believe, I trust, but I just don’t get it! Help me God! Or as Italian monk and philosopher Anslem put it: “For I do not seek to understand in order that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand. For this also I believe – that unless I believe I shall not understand.”

In John 20:12-16, Mary is once again alone in the garden. Still crying. Even the sight of two angels fails to lessen her despair and desperation to find Jesus’ body. The gardener comes by and asks her, ‘Why are you crying? Who is it you’re looking for?” Fixated on the here and now all she can think about is the task she started the morning with to embalm the body of Jesus. “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him”, she answers with tear-stained eyes. Then, everything changes with one word, ‘Mary’ he says. Instantly, she recognizes that the person is Jesus and probably gives him the biggest hug he has ever had!

In John 20:17 “Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold on to me, for I haven’t yet gone up to my Father. Go to my brothers and sisters and tell them, ‘I’m going up to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” This shift from “my Father” to “your Father” is one of the most theologically loaded moments in the entire resurrection narrative. It signals a new kind of relationship between God and Jesus’ followers—one that was not fully available before the death and resurrection of Christ. Words are powerful. With this change in syntax Jesus is declaring that, because of His death and resurrection, His intimate relationship with the Father is now being shared with His disciples.

New Testament theologian N.T. Wright explains it this way: “Before the first time I went to stay with a family in Germany, I learned that when people say “you” in German, there are two forms, like the old English “ye” (for more than one person) and “thou” (for just one). In Germany it is polite to call everyone you meet by the plural word, “Sie.” You only use the singular word, “Du,” when talking to little children. …The family I stayed with made me extremely welcome, looked after me and put up with my stumbling attempts to speak their language. I always called them “Sie.” After several days my host, at supper, made a quiet announcement. I had been with them for some while now, and we had got to know one another. It was now appropriate that I should call them “Du.” This was a new stage of friendship and intimacy.”

It is amazing that Jesus was resurrected, but it is also important to celebrate that our relationship with God was also resurrected to a level not seen since the first Adam walked with God in the cool of the garden. Easter changed everything:

1. A new covenant reality. The old way of ritual sacrifice and indirect intermediaries is done.

2. A new family relationship. A more intimate way of relating to everything (including God, Jesus and Life).

3. Mission is renewed. Jesus sends Mary to announce this new reality that is for everyone.

May you have a blessed Easter this week with your family including your sisters and brothers in Christ!

Gary Dyck is a chaplain and spiritual care provider at a hospital and personal care home in the Southeast.