Have you ever been just about done with a big piece of work when someone shows up, much too late, and asks, “Is there anything I can do to help you?”
Every one of us is just such a Johnny-come-lately, arriving this Easter at the empty tomb and finding, as did Mary of Magdala, that the stone has been rolled back for us, the heavy work had already been done - long before we got here.
And that’s a good way of saying what Easter is all about: the heavy work has already been done for us, for you and for me.
And not just the heavy work of moving the stone that sealed Jesus’ tomb.
There was also the heavy work of Good Friday. The work of being unjustly accused and condemned – on our account. The work of being mocked, spat upon and crowned with thorns; the work of carrying a Cross to one’s own execution; of suffering the nails of crucifixion; the work of dying for others; all that work has already been done for us, for you and for me.
But more than that - and weightiest of all work: carrying on one’s shoulders the sin and guilt of all humankind, including yours and mine, that work has been done for us, for you and for me.
That’s the mercy of God.
