An Easter Message from the Office of the Bishop

Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers and sisters to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” —Matthew 28:10 (NRSVue)

In Matthew’s Gospel Mary Magdalene and the other Mary go to see the tomb on the morning after the sabbath. Matthew also tells us clearly that these two women are eyewitnesses to his death, his burial, and the sealing of the tomb. They know that he is dead and where his body has been placed. They also know that they will not see him again.

Yet on that morning when God upends all our human knowledge and expectation, they do see him again, and he is alive! Rather than prove them to be unreliable sources, Jesus gives them new information, good news: “go and tell my brothers and sisters to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

There they will see me. Where they had already watched him in ministry; where he had first called his disciples; in their hometowns; among their people; there they will see me.

This is not merely a promise for the immediate time after his resurrection; this is eternal promise. After he ascends to the Father; as they continue his ministry; while they teach and proclaim and baptize in his name; there they will see me.

This is eternal promise for us, as well. In our congregations; out in our neighborhoods and communities; where we are called to proclaim good news; as we carry out the ministry he has given us: Jesus says, “There they will see me.”

This year, hear the message that Jesus gave to Mary and the other Mary. Wherever you gather, however you celebrate the resurrection to new life, whomever you are with, we pray that you see Jesus, and in seeing him, you receive new life. Blessings to you this Easter season.

In the peace of our risen Christ,

+Bishop Kevin and the Office of the Bishop Staff:

Dn. Alicia, Pr. Tyler, Pr. Marty Jo, Pr. Traci, Dn. Sue Ellen, Pr. John, and Michelle