The Lenten Journey ends where it began, with Jesus alone in a wilderness of suffering. I’ve never considered until just now that no one came after him when he endured his temptations in the wilderness, not parents or friends, not enemies or allies. Alone with God, he navigated suffering to body, mind, and spirit. As the Holy Spirit thrust him into that wilderness of suffering, so he returns from it, empowered to engage in his part of God’s plan.

On Easter morning, he is alone again, except some guards outside watching for those who would tamper with his gravesite, when off in the distance we see his friends, his partners in ministry, his disciples coming to tend to his body. Luke’s gospel names them: Mary Magdelene, Joanna, Mary, James’ mom and several other women. Later, Peter and even John would run to the tomb at the news that came from the ones who went after him: HE IS RISEN!

Clearly, the hero in this story is the God who is greater than death and the one who was raised from it. Clearly on Easter, we celebrate and praise the God who promises to breathe new life into us as well.

But I am floored when I think about those faithful, possibly few, who came to look after Jesus, even when they knew he was dead. I am floored when I think about the faithful, dear ones who have come to look after me when I’ve endured a wilderness journey of my own.

Christ is risen, y’all. Christ is risen, indeed. God is with us, even in our trials, and, thanks be to God, so is the great communion of saints who have been raised from death with him, and with us.

On this resurrection morning, we give you thanks that, even when we feel alone in our own times of death, that you are with us, we are not alone. On this resurrection morning, we give thanks for the God and the ones of God who would come after us as well. Amen.

Byron Vance