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Bayview is a relevant, family-friendly church, passionate about Jesus Christ and contributing to the common good of our community and world. We aim to help people meaningfully connect with God and others, so relationship sits at the heart of what we do. Whether it's at one of our church services, children's or youth programs, community events, or small group activities that run throughout the week, we look forward to welcoming you at Bayview Church.
Our Weekly Blog - Easter Sunday
On Sunday, we focused on the effect that the resurrection had on the disciples, as highlighted by John in his gospel (John 20: 1 to 18), starting with Mary Magdalene, who turns out to be one of the most remarkable disciples. This is despite negative and non-biblical rumours peddled by a pope in 561 AD. In fact, Mary is characterised by the following facts:
1. She was healed from demon possession or a serious mental health issue.
2. Provided funding for Jesus’ ministry.
3. She was courageous because she was at the cross and the tomb when all the male disciples had run away.
When she told Peter and John that the body had been removed, they ran to the tomb. Eugène Burnand’s painting below crackles with kinetic energy and hope. Frost argues, "Surely this is also the posture with which we should approach Easter. Leaning in, wringing our hands, clutching our chests, desperate for it to be true?”
Ge’s painting Heralds of the Resurrection shows Mary Magdalene rushing to tell the disciples that Christ was alive again. See below.
What both Ge’s picture and Burnard’s have in common is the fact that Christ is out of frame. Instead of seeing the resurrected Jesus, we see the faith of the first disciples, led by Mary. Depicting the gravity of this incredible event is notoriously difficult, and, to be frank, many paintings of the resurrection make Jesus look a bit weird, but Burnand and Ge avoid this by placing Jesus out of the picture and painting the effect of the resurrection on his disciples.
All in all, Mary appears to be a vulnerable yet urgent messenger. In the foreground, lurking in the shadows, are three Roman soldiers. They seem not to notice Mary and are totally unaware of the Resurrection.
The depictions of Mary and the men couldn’t be more different. She is glowing in the light; they are in shadows. She runs with focus and urgency; they don’t. She is empty-handed; they bear their weapons casually. What separates them is not only Ge’s use of light but the remains of a broken cross left on the ground, including the sign bearing Pilate’s statement, “Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews.”
However, what is interesting is that in Ge’s depiction, both Mary and the soldiers are indifferent to the broken cross. Mary’s gaze is set on the rising sun, the light, running towards the disciples, desperate to tell them what she’s seen. They perhaps ignore it as just another execution tool that was last week’s labour.
Mike Frost states:
“The cross is no longer important to her. Christ has risen! She had mistaken him for a gardener when she visited Jesus’ tomb, but her eyes were opened when he spoke her name. His instruction to her to go to the brothers spurred her on the rush depicted in this painting…Just as it divides the soldiers from Mary in this painting, so it will divide believers from unbelievers from this time forth. I think Ge is inviting the viewer to ask which side of the cross they stand on.”
So, which side of the cross are you on? If you believe in the cross and the resurrection, do you have the courage of Mary to tell somebody about the risen Jesus? If so, how about inviting somebody to Alpha on Sunday, 21st April, at 6 pm?
What is interesting about this passage is that the people whom Jesus calls his disciples—those who follow His ways, works, and words—don’t tend to be strong or independent. They tend to be people who struggle, people who have been healed from mental health issues, such as Mary Magdalene; people who get things wrong, such as Peter; and doubters, such as Thomas. However, in the words of Tony Campolo, it’s Friday, but Sunday is coming!
It’s Friday, for those who doubt, but Sunday is coming!
It’s Friday for those who have sinned, but Sunday is coming!
It’s Friday for those who are oppressed, but Sunday is coming!
It’s Friday for those who are lonely, but Sunday is coming!
It’s Friday for those with mental health issues, but Sunday is coming!
It’s Friday for those in pain, but Sunday is coming!
Happy Easter! He has risen indeed!
Toby
0413 046 642 toby@bayviewchurch.org
