I’m mindful that for many of us, we have heard a lot of “no’s” in our lifetimes. Especially from people who think they are speaking for or defending God. Whether implicitly or explicitly, we’ve heard things like:
“No, you’re not supposed to be asking questions like that.” “No, you can’t possibly believe that!”
“No, don’t bring that up. Don’t ruffle anyone’s feathers.”
“No, you aren’t allowed to do that. Women aren’t allowed to do that.”
“No, that’s not who God created you to be.”
“No, that’s not how God intended for you to live, or to love.”
“No, there’s no space for you here.” “No, you’re not welcome here.” And the weight of these “no’s” is buried deeply within us, even still.
But the story of Easter reminds us that even while it was still dark. Even while we were still living in a world that says “No” to who we are. “No way.” “Not possible.” “That just doesn’t make sense.” “That’s not the way things are supposed to be.” “There’s no way.” “There’s no hope.”
…in Christ, God was working up God’s divine YES. After all, isn’t this what Jesus showed us, time and time again? When the Pharisees said “No, you can’t possibly eat with sinners and tax collectors and people like that,” Jesus said “Yes, I can! Watch me.”
When the disciples said “No” to the children who were making too much noise, Jesus said, “Yes, let the little children come to me. They show us what God’s Love is all about!”
When the woman at the well said, “No, Jesus! You’re not even supposed to talk with a Samaritan woman like me!” Jesus said, “I will give you living water so that you’ll never thirst again.”
When the disciples said, “No, Jesus – we can’t possibly feed all of these people!” Jesus said, “How many fish and loaves do you have?” and suddenly they fed the thousands – with food leftover.
When Mary and Martha were weeping at the tomb of Lazarus and said, “No Jesus, it’s too late. You should have been here sooner,” Jesus said to them, “Just watch what the power of God’s resurrecting Love can do.”
Because resurrection is what happens when the world around you says “No,” and yet somehow, somewhere deep within you, like Mary, you hear the Divine call you by name and say “YES.”