The doubt in the minds of Jesus’ disciples is not difficult to imagine.

They have been through an awful time. What looked like a great moment for the ‘Jesus movement’ – a joyful, noisy protest march into the holy city at the holiest time of the year – quickly turned into a disaster.

Plans were made and charges invented. The powerful stood their ground, and the religious leadership seemed to abandon their moral ground. All hell broke loose, and Jesus was hastily tried, convicted and executed by the state.

The doubt weighs heavily upon Jesus’ friends. It will take a miracle to lift the burden.

The events of the past three days were real – of that there could be no doubt. But hadn’t Jesus told them all of it? Not just the ‘happy ending,’ but all the misery that would come before: handed over. Accused. Crucified. And only then would he rise.

The comfort of Jesus’ words are lost to the roar of the powerful claiming their privilege. Meanwhile, the forlorn friends of Jesus, hidden with their grief, long for a practical solution to their problem.

The women, out early on their practical mission – to finish the rituals to honour their teacher – return with news of a miracle. The stone is moved – the tomb is empty. What’s more, dazzling messengers proclaim what Jesus had three times declared. He. Is. Risen.

Why do you look for the living among the dead?

The announcement at the empty tomb is all the convincing the women need. They are ready and willing to believe. Their hope is rewarded – their friend and teacher lives again.

The rest need some…convincing.

And so do we.

We are too well acquainted with the fragile nature of life and resurrection seems an idle tale to us.

But resurrection is the central premise of our faith, right? Jesus lives…right?

Though we’ve never seen him, we count on this being true: the idea that God’s love can do what human ambition and desire cannot do: raise the dead.

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Why does this matter so much? Is it because we need something to help us come with the harsh reality of daily living?  Sure, there are moments of joy and gladness – but then there is the rest of the day – representing too much of our lives, when all seems lost, and hope is distant (or vanquished.)

At times like these, we need the power of God – we need the Risen Christ. We need to know that the universe operates according to rules of justice and mercy, not self-preservation and chaos.

True, we aren’t at the mercy of the Roman Empire.

Our situation may be worse.

Rumour and disinformation circulate at the speed of light. Almost everyone has, in their pocket or purse, a device that will confirm their worst fears at the touch of a button. Our prejudices are amplified and our battle-lines drawn for us by powerful people whose devotion to the worst kind of capitalism has rendered us slaves to their desires.

We want a practical solution. A different government – more (or fewer) regulations – a ‘freer’ market – an end to monopolies.

Our generation, like every generation that has come before us, seeks to work our way out of this predicament. Many have rolled up their sleeves and proposed new ideas. But soon enough, the real problems – the misery, the injustices, the loss of empathy and compassion – are forgotten; lost to a war of ideas.

We are told that whoever wins this ideological war will surely save us – fix us – bring back those thrilling days of yesteryear…but practical solutions are not perfect.

We need a miracle.

“False hope’ they cry from the corners of the internet where journalists dare not go. ‘Your dream of a just society is just another idle tale,” they say. But Easter teaches us a thing of two about ‘idle tales.’

Jesus did not stand apart from the political realities of his time. He stood in the centre, and offered what no one else was offering: an attitude of grace – the practice of forgiveness – mercy and openness – wisdom and wonder.

Jesus looks to God – standing in the long legacy of faithfulness imparted by his religion, and standing in the way of the wild notions of power and privilege embodied by the unholy state of the world as it was (and is). Jesus offers us something ‘other’ and eternal. A world guided by principles of grace, mercy, humility and love.

These ideas led to his death – make no mistake. To stand up for ideas that redefine power and places it beyond the reach of those who are addicted to power is a dangerous vocation even now. But the hope that Jesus offers is no idle tale.

The Cross was the world’s ‘practical solution’ to the one who offered hope to the world. But the grave cannot hold hope captive. God will not let hope die. The empty tomb – the Risen Christ – this idle tale is life and breath for a world grieving and groaning under the weight of human ambition.

The good news is persistent. This miracle will not be silenced. Jesus is risen, and hope abounds – not just in the lives of the faithful few, but in the fabric of Creation.

Let the miracle of Easter morning raise your spirits and revive your hope.

Christ is Risen. He is Risen indeed.

Hallelujah! Amen.