Sermon for Vigil of Easter

Audio was cut off due to technical difficulties - here is the end of the sermon:

The angel of the Lord demonstrates how easy it will be. Moving the stone? Try moving the whole earth. Guards, already comatose with fear. The dead Christ? He is risen from the dead, and already has gone ahead of you to Galilee. Catch up! He was dead, but you’re the one’s who are late.

He gathers his people in Galilee and continues to gather now. His resurrection was the most sure and necessary thing in the universe and now he gives that to you through baptism into him. Even now it is certain that you can have victory over sin and temptation. He did – and you have his life. All things necessary he can do for your salvation without even moving his little finger.

When Christ was laid in the tomb, it was certain he would awaken. When you are laid in the grave, it is certain you will awaken. That’s what you do after you sleep, right? So sleep tonight, knowing that it’s very certain you will rise tomorrow. Either to Easter morning, or even better, the eternal Easter morning. That was the plan all along.

Christ is risen!

Amen.