And in some moment chosen and known only by the Creator of the Universe, the one who was dead was raised to life forever as the Lord of the Universe. We 21 st Century Christians have learned that we are not anywhere near the center of the universe. Our reach into space has convinced us that we are not near as significant in size or accomplishment as the glorious grandeur of the Cloud of Magellan or the Milky Way. You and I live day to day with occasional long-range plans and expectations serving as spurs to our efforts or hopes on which to hang our energies. We also encounter those terrible, unplanned surprises which interrupt our attempts to choreograph our own lives.
Death is, in fact, a part of our day to day experience.
But now, because of Jesus Christ and his resurrection, there is something more. The rhythm of the Christian life has always been from death to life. We may not always know what form it will come in, but as surely as Good Friday is followed by Easter, you and I are graced by the gift of Resurrection won for us in the life, death and rising of Jesus Christ. It's no wonder we sing alleluias at Easter. With these words, Jesus stirs the sleeping disciples who went with him to the garden of Gethsemane to pray.