Title: Something Happened
Author: Bob Wickizer
Text: Romans 6:3-11; Psalm 114; Mark 16:1-8
I asked that we use the very brief gospel reading from the Easter Vigil for both the Saturday evening and Sunday morning Easter observances. It was not out of my laziness that I asked to use the same sermon in two different churches. I wanted the short gospel so that we could cut to the chase and not have to deal with the dozens of side stories and confusing ideas that enter the longer gospels. Today we have pared the scripture down such that Sargeant Joe Friday in the old TV series "Dragnet" would be proud. "Just the facts, mam" was his interrogation technique.
First, a little self-disclosure. I really am from Missouri, the "show me state." The state motto seems to infuse all the citizens with a doubting Thomas attitude. Missourians need to see it to believe it. I am also an empiricist. I come from a long line of attorneys and a famous scientist uncle. I like facts. Verifiable, empirical facts. I believe, like that good Englishman, William of Occam, that when all possibilities are reasonably likely, the simplest explanation is most likely to be the correct one.
I am always challenged by the miracle claims of Christianity in particular and most religious systems in general. I have come to a kind of rapprochement with these claims that you will learn from me as we get past Easter. What are the facts from our gospel today?
We know that lots of women who supported Jesus in his brief ministry were present at the crucifixion. That was last week's lesson. Today we learn that two women go to the tomb to attend to the dead body of Jesus. It is early morning, and they are wondering how they will roll away the heavy stone. They knew that Pilate had guards posted at the entrance to prevent any later claims by his followers about a miraculous survival of their cult leader. The women probably figured they could convince the guards to move the stone.
When they get th ...
Author: Bob Wickizer
Text: Romans 6:3-11; Psalm 114; Mark 16:1-8
I asked that we use the very brief gospel reading from the Easter Vigil for both the Saturday evening and Sunday morning Easter observances. It was not out of my laziness that I asked to use the same sermon in two different churches. I wanted the short gospel so that we could cut to the chase and not have to deal with the dozens of side stories and confusing ideas that enter the longer gospels. Today we have pared the scripture down such that Sargeant Joe Friday in the old TV series "Dragnet" would be proud. "Just the facts, mam" was his interrogation technique.
First, a little self-disclosure. I really am from Missouri, the "show me state." The state motto seems to infuse all the citizens with a doubting Thomas attitude. Missourians need to see it to believe it. I am also an empiricist. I come from a long line of attorneys and a famous scientist uncle. I like facts. Verifiable, empirical facts. I believe, like that good Englishman, William of Occam, that when all possibilities are reasonably likely, the simplest explanation is most likely to be the correct one.
I am always challenged by the miracle claims of Christianity in particular and most religious systems in general. I have come to a kind of rapprochement with these claims that you will learn from me as we get past Easter. What are the facts from our gospel today?
We know that lots of women who supported Jesus in his brief ministry were present at the crucifixion. That was last week's lesson. Today we learn that two women go to the tomb to attend to the dead body of Jesus. It is early morning, and they are wondering how they will roll away the heavy stone. They knew that Pilate had guards posted at the entrance to prevent any later claims by his followers about a miraculous survival of their cult leader. The women probably figured they could convince the guards to move the stone.
When they get th ...
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