Easter: Code for Life

The Resurrection of Our Lord

April 8, 2012

Mark 16:1-8

Have you seen one of these recently?

Now, if I tell you that this funny looking bar code is a thing called a QR Code that is read by a smart phone you might have one of 3 reactions:

1) Ooh, for a smart phone, cool; I've got an app for that!

2) It's for a smart phone? Listen, my phone still has a real dial tone, with a real dial, and I definitely don't know what the heck that square code thing is.

3) It's for a smart phone, who cares!

These codes are a part of a whole new language.

A whole new way of communicating, of sharing a message, of getting the word out.

Just because it’s new doesn't mean we should just write it off - it might change how we do things.

……

Codes are forms of communication.

Some codes (like Morse code on the telegraph; or bar codes on products) are patterns of sounds, or lines, or numbers, or symbols, communicating some form of information.

Other codes set standards or principles; like codes of conduct, or building codes.

….

The cross was a code; a code of death.

In Jesus time crucifixion was a common form of execution used by the empire.  It was a way to squelch revolt; control through fear; and served as extreme example of what “rule with an iron fist” meant.

The cross was a code of death.

From Jerusalem to neighboring towns, crosses would line country roads.

Bodies were left to hang on them as incentive not to cause trouble against Rome.

It could be read no other way; it communicated its message quite clearly.

….

Another code, Jewish Burial code, prohibits anointing a body for burial during the Sabbath.  Therefore Jesus body had quickly been brought down off the cross and placed in an unused tomb.

So when the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome (some say Salome is Jesus’ aunt) bought spices so they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb.”

….

On their way they are discussing among themselves who would roll the stone away.

Joseph of Aremathea and Nicodemus had laid Jesus body in the tomb; they had the help of some of Jesus followers in sealing the tomb with the stone;

But the scripture says, as they arrived at the place and looked up, for their heads had been bowed in grief, they saw the stone rolled away.

The tomb was empty. 

While it has become the central image of Easter today, for those who first saw it, it was like trying to interpret what they couldn’t imagine. 

Like when you don’t recognize someone you know well, out of context. Our eyes play tricks on us. 

What did this mean?

How were they to interpret the sign?

-          I might think in a moment of grief, this would be too much to take. 

-          What were they to think, really? Did Pilate have the body removed, had it been stolen; Jesus had already been beaten, crucified, how much more pain could they inflict.

As they entered the tomb, they see a young man in a white robe, sitting on the stone where Jesus body had been laid.

What would this mean? More anxiety, more fear; where is Jesus?

The man answered their grief; interpreting the code of the empty tomb:

You are looking for Jesus who was crucified.

He has been raised. He is not here.

Go. Tell his disciples, he is going ahead of you; just as he told you he would.

…..

Here was the new code: The empty tomb, an empty cross.

According to Mark’s Gospel – those who were the first to see this new code; didn’t know what to do with it.  

Like someone who has never used a cell phone looking at one of these QR codes, it just didn’t make sense.

Mark’s account ends with them going out – but, the text says:

“They said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.”

…………….

With the phone, the code opens its interpreter into a whole other world.

Literally.

Most of the codes are connected to a page on the World Wide Web, a whole other world, a whole other universe, cyberspace.

Scanning the QR code in your yellow (announcement) pages of your bulletin will take you to our events calendar on the web; but QR codes could also take a person to watch a video, see a message, listen to a song, the possibilities for communication are great!

If you have the phone.

………………………………………

I don’t know how people deal with death without faith.

Grief is hard. Death is real.

But this empty tomb and this empty cross are codes,

And you don’t need a phone to read them…

The scanner...is Faith.

…

If you look at the central cross in most Lutheran communities, you will notice something missing.

            The Body.

By faith we believe the reason Jesus is not there is because –

Christ Has Risen! 

The empty cross is a sign of life!

…

This sign, this New Code says:

            Death does not win.

                        Death does not have the last word over us.

The empty cross means victory, the empty tomb means life.

….

So would you live differently if you had no fear of death?

     Would you love more boldly?

          Would you work less or spend time with those you love more?

               Would you help the person who really needs it, not worrying what others think?

                    Would you love more passionately?

….

Mark’s Gospel says they left and said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

But you can’t extinguish the light of Christ;

The word got out.

Maybe they received a faith upgrade; got an app for resurrection;

They read the signs again; and experienced the new life of Christ.

…

Where will Empty Cross Code lead us?  

When someone puts one of the QR codes out there, they are planning on a response; the code takes you to a website, and wants you to respond.  

Jesus too, invites us to respond…having discovered through the empty cross and the empty tomb, a message of Life – living without fear, where will our faith take us?

The Code of the Empty Cross led Paul through Macedonia preaching a radial welcome so that everyone would know God loves them.

The Code of the Empty Cross led the one they call doubting Thomas to the eastern shores of India and he gave away a king’s riches to the poor.

For the Ethiopian, the Empty Cross Code, interpreted by faith on the road, led him to be baptized and bring the Good News to northern Africa.

For Luther, living life found in the code of the empty cross, he was led to protest for the rights of children for equitable public education; in so doing, contracted the illness that would claim his life.

For Tom and Susan, they interpreted the code of the empty cross and found themselves in Tanzania, where God has led them to be a bridge between cultures and communities.

Where will the Empty Cross Code lead you?

……………………………….

Go! Jesus goes ahead of you – we have a new code of life to follow – the empty cross.

A sign of life. A code pointing us to Grace.

For you and for me.

Amen.