The resurrection account within the Gospel According to Matthew is surprisingly brief. To be sure, it is filled with a litany of phenomena - an earthquake, angelic figures, an empty tomb, and an encounter with the resurrected Christ - and it is still quite short. Mary Magdalene and the “Other Mary” enter through this wild procession just after waking, one after another. And with every encounter, there is this a similar message that follows: “Do not be afraid.” and “Go.”

It is curious that there would not be more material on the resurrection. For that matter, it is curious that there would not be more material on the Kingdom of God. What ever happened to that???

If we remember, the life and ministry of Jesus began with the proclamation of the Kingdom of God at hand. Shaped by the prophetic imagination, most were hoping that this Kingdom of God would be a reinstatement of the United Kingdom of Israel similar to the time of King David. Whether that was to return through a peasant uprising, coup d'état, or divine miracles, the foundation of this hope included the removal of Roman occupation and the regaining of independence and identity. This is the idea that Jesus taught and proclaimed. This is the image that Jesus moved into with the Procession of Palms. This is still the hope that carries them to the Upper Room and even to the foot of the cross. Waiting, hoping, longing.

But part of that hope collides with the reality of the cross. Jesus was not going to overthrow the Roman seat. Angels did not descend to save the Son of God from violence and death. God didn’t even cast one plague upon Caesar or Herod or Pilate as God visited upon Pharaoh to elicit the Exodus.

Part of that hope collides with the reality of the cross. And perhaps part of this hope emerges from the emptiness of the tomb and the angelic chorus: “Do not be afraid. Go.”

If the Kingdom of God is not going to come through utilizing great power over, but power in service to and in kinship with others, then perhaps this Kingdom will be something different than the common kingdom with a singular leader, brick and mortar boundaries, and a military force to protect it all. Perhaps the Kingdom of God is something more mystical that rises up seemingly anywhere - where love is known and guides a community. Perhaps the Kingdom of God is that which is visible around the table at the Last Supper, and in the assembly who remained present to their loved one in suffering, and in the honoring of grief together in the cemetery.

Perhaps the Kingdom of God is then found anywhere and everywhere people orient themselves towards love (even when afraid) - emerging even and especially in the basic, routine, and trivial.

Those who encounter the resurrected Christ don’t seem to linger long. They don’t seem to be too concerned with understanding the physiology or physics of the miracle or metaphor. They don’t take up arms in vengeance nor storm the Governor’s mansion in retaliation. They don’t assemble the first conference of apostles to formally found “the Church” and create a mission statement towards world transformation.

They go back to their communities. They likely go back to their work. It is all similar, and perhaps there is something about it all that is radically different - enlivened, holy. Perhaps the Kingdom of God is revealed as this gentle and generative force. It is not “potent” by the standards of the world, and yet it demonstrates itself as powerful as we need it to be - each and every time.

Perhaps Christ sends off the disciples to discover the Kingdom of God among them - again and again - in the basic, routine, and seemingly trivial.

Yesterday a scheduled delivery of mulch arrived at our house - 8 cubic yards to distribute upon the garden beds. That afternoon I found myself shoveling shredded branches into a wheelbarrow in the sunlight. At the same time a President spoke of expanding this war of choice to genocide. It was Easter just the other day.

Part of my work felt trivial and mundane. Part of it felt hopeful and defiant. The resurrected Christ encounters the world and reveals something about the Kingdom of God.

What now?

Do not be afraid. Go.

And so Church, we do.

Peace,

Rev. Chris McCreight

Manuscript to the sermon “What About Now?”

Community Concert Saturday, April 11 @ 5pm

Dr. Areum Sarah Park (piano), Minchae Kim (violin), and Daniel Kwang Keun Oh (bass-baritone) will perform a concert at the church to benefit our local charity, Kids Weekend Meals.

The set list includes works of Beethoven, Mozart, and Strauss. You will want to be here for this.

CYF Mission Trip Fundraiser: April 12 @ 5pm

Dinner and Auction

Mantua Center Old School

Our youth group, CYF United, will hold their annual Dinner and Auction to raise funds for their June mission trip to North Carolina. The youth will be assisting with repairs and clean up after the 2024 Hurricane Helene.

The dinner includes homemade soups (10+ varieties) and homemade rolls along with salad and beverages for a donation of $10 per adult, (children 10-4 for $5, 3 and under for free). Back 40 Treats will also be on hand to sell fresh donuts and ice cream with all proceeds going to the Mission Trip.

The trip participants have contributed handmade items that will be auctioned off, including a birdhouse, deer hide, baked goods, devotional items, plant hangers, a quilt and an afghan.

Tickets may be purchased at the door. The address is 11741 Mantua Center Road.

Call Pam Auble, 216-308-7930, if you have questions.