Angel With Attitude

Matthew 28:2

28:2  And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.  3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.

Alleluia!  Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!

So goes the ancient Easter greeting and response as early Christians identified themselves to others.  I never tire of the Alleluias; they declare and proclaim that life has triumphed over death, that death does not have the final word, that there is always hope and possibility - even when it seems there is no way forward.  New life will find a way.  This bold proclamation is an exclamation point on the possibilities.

All four gospels have an angel or someone proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus.  Here in Matthew’s version an angel descended and rolled back the stone - and get this - sat on it!   When asked if I have a favorite Bible verse, this is it:  Matthew 28:2.  I call this “an angel with an attitude,” and I have to admit, I like it!  I like this sassy, snarky angel with an attitude; I like this angel that is apparently bored with the best that death could do --- closing the tomb with a stone --- and so the angel rolled the stone back - and with an exclamation point - sat on it.  It’s as if that angel - by rolling back the stone and sitting on it - is saying, “Take that, death!  Take that, tomb!  Take that, powers that attempt to defy God and the ways of God; Take that!”

So take that, death!  
Alleluia!  Christ is risen!  
He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!