Text: John 20
This homily was originally preached at St. Stephen’s Church in Sherman on Sunday, April 5, 2026.
Alleluia! CHRIST IS RISEN!
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Easter greetings on this most happy morning, dear brothers and sisters. Today we hear once more the paschal announcement of the Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Once more we are at the empty tomb with the angels. Once more we hear the voice of Jesus calling us by name, and we cling to him in faith and love.
The Resurrection is the ultimate triumph of God over the powers of sin, evil, death, and the Devil. It is an enduring sign of God’s commitment to restore the cosmos to wholeness and life.
The risen Christ is the everlasting pledge that life is the ruling principle of the world, not death. On this day, regeneration conquers decay; light triumphs over darkness; goodness and love show themselves to be more powerful than evil and hatred, which are doomed to be swallowed up and brought to nothing, as is right.
Salvation has shone forth for us from the tomb, and Christ is with us forever. “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by his own death and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.”
And just as Christ is victorious over sin and death, so we too can be victorious in him.
If you are in bondage to the power of sin, you can be liberated. If you are inwardly bound by bitterness, you can be loosed. If you feel that life is hopeless, you can receive hope on this most triumphant day. If you are isolated and alone, you can enter the banquet hall wherein all the saints of present and past dine most sumptuously.
Easter is the solution to every problem that haunts the human soul. It is the eternal victory that shines brighter than any earthly defeat.
This radiant proclamation goes forth for everyone, not only believers but unbelievers too, to skeptics, to those tormented by their doubts and unbelief— the Resurrection is for them also, for them also Christ is risen.
The Resurrection is not cause for joy for only a few but for all. For all may take part in the Resurrection. The feast of joy and light is open to all— none are shut out, all are invited.
The risen Lord Jesus extends his hand to you… will you take it? If you do, He will lead you forth into the land of joy and peace, a life of ever-deepening knowledge of the God who made you and loves you. It is in Christ that we find our hope, our joy, our purpose. He is life. He is light. He is everything.
The risen Jesus calls out to each of us: “Brother, sister, I am risen! I died but I am alive forevermore. Join me! Come home to the House of the Father. The feast is ready. Drop everything and make haste to the banquet.”
Dearly beloved: Today life is triumphant over death. Let us rejoice. Christ our Passover is sacrificed. Therefore, let us keep the feast! Alleluia!
The Pulpit and the Altar 