This Sunday is Easter. It is different than almost any previous Easter, thanks to the lingering effects of the pandemic on gatherings and celebrations of all sorts. It is the same as every other Easter for nearly 2,000 years—a remembrance of the day all of existence changed.
At Lincoln Park-Lynnwood United Methodist Churches, we will consider John 20:1-18, a passage almost certainly penned by one of the witnesses of that morning. We will think about how despair changed to wonder and delight. Today, as we look forward to talking about that and remembering once again the amazing story, we focus on one little bit from that passage.
Toward the end of that wonderful passage, Jesus converses with Mary Magdalene. He tells her:
“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.’” (John 20:17b, CEB)
I could be wrong, but as far as I can tell, this is the first time Jesus refers to his disciples as “my brothers and sisters.” Remember, the Son of God says this. Because he has won a victory impossible for us to fully comprehend, we are now in the family of God, so the Son calls us brothers and sisters.
That’s a huge change, such a significant meaning within simple words.
It’s not just “welcome home.” It’s that we have a home, a family, and Jesus made that happen.
Among the candy and the bunnies and the Easter eggs, remember that simple, amazing fact: because of what he did, Jesus now calls us brothers and sisters.