Behold, God is on the move.

It was early morning on the first day of the week and the women had come to see the tomb —to watch over it, to experience it, to keep vigil there. 

It was barely first light and they would have carried candles with them so they could find their way. As they walked they probably told stories to each other, sometimes recounting the tragic recent events but mostly remembering his life, things he had said, things he had done over time.

Like those women, we gathered here tonight to keep vigil. We carried our candles and told stories of things God has said and things God has done over time

And then there was a moment of surprise. Behold!!

The lights came on in a flash, the bells shook and the hallelujahs rang out. 

A newcomer to our vigil might find themselves startled but it hardly compares to the start the women experienced that morning. Suddenly or Behold! The earth shook. And a bolt of lighting struck the ground and there in front of them was an angelic messenger rolling back the great stone

The Greek word that is often translated as behold or suddenly is idou—but it is a word that has no real counterpart in English

It can mean “something that is unexpected and yet sure, “something that seems impossible and yet occurs,” it means “watch this!” And “pay attention” and  “Listen, this is important.”

In our Gospel text that we heard tonight there are four moments where idou is used. 

Behold—the earth shook and with lightning there appeared a messenger from heaven

Then twice the angelic messenger declares Behold!  Pay attention! Listen up!  Something that seems impossible is occurring!

Jesus is going ahead of you!

Behold!  You will see him there!

And then again we hear it when the women encounter Jesus on the way, “Behold!  Listen up!  Something that seems impossible is occurring!

Jesus met them.

They witnessed first hand this truth the angel had spoken of. They were instructed to go…and tell the disciples a message…and as they went…Jesus had gone ahead of them and they saw him there

And then Jesus said to them, “Chairete!” Here translated Greetings! But more fully Rejoice—take joy in God’s grace—in knowing god is leaning towards you

And the women responded with adoration. 

And afterwards Jesus reminded them of the mission they were on

He said to the women tell my followers to go to Galilee and they will see me there. 

To Galilee—-why did he tell them to go to Galilee?  It was about 40 miles away, three days journey by foot. He could have met them anywhere. 

But he calls them back to Galilee —to their home town —back to their roots, to the beginnings of this crazy mission they’ve been on. He calls them to go back to where they first heard that call to “Come, Follow Me.”

What about us?  Where is our Galilee? Is it a place on the map? Or is it a moment in time?

Where did you first hear Gods call?  Where were you when your spiritual eyes were first opened and a fire was kindled in your spirit?  For some of you today may become your Galilee that you will look back on.

Where is your hometown or your place of work or the place you have served in ministry?  Maybe it is an office job or a public school or a restaurant or a laundromat. 

Jesus is saying go and you will see me there.

The angel declared that not only would they see Jesus there but that he was going on ahead of them. 

For the disciples, it was Galilee.

But what about you and me.

Is the messenger from heaven saying that God is going ahead of us into Fort Worth and we will see God there?

Or that God is going ahead of us into Crowley and we will see God there?

Or maybe it is a new job or a shifting relationship or a new calling on your life…. And the angel is saying go…God is going ahead of you…and you will see God there. 

Wherever it is we are going God is going on ahead of us. God will know the lay of the land, god will know what we are up against, God will have been there before us

And if we keep our eyes open, we will see God there. 

And nothing can stop the plans of God from unfolding. The chains have been broken. No force or power or disease or political movement or warring factions or church conflicts , not even death itself can keep God down.

Behold God is on the move.

And the messenger from heaven has declared that you and I are to be on the move as well.

We are to go.

And God is going before us.

Let’s keep our eyes wide open.

So we can see God there.