The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. 

(Luke 24:5-6) 

It would have been normal and expected for the women to go to the tomb on that Sunday morning. Although Jesus had already been wrapped and placed in the tomb, because the Sabbath had intervened there was no time for his body to be properly prepared for burial. It was the women’s job to anoint the body with burial oils and this would have been their first opportunity to do so. They arrive at the cave tomb.to find that the stone in front of the cave has been moved away and the grave is empty. They are told by angels that Jesus has risen from the dead. In a state of shock and fear they return to the disciples and tell them what has happened. Over the next few days it becomes clear that this shocking end to the week’s events is in fact not an end at all, but a new beginning. The mournful and mundane preparation of a dead body is transformed into the joyful experience of Christ’s resurrection.

And what do chocolate eggs have to do with all of this? Well as far as chocolate is concerned nothing, but in the case of eggs quite a lot. Eggs have been an important Easter symbol for many reasons. Firstly, they are a symbol of new birth and new life. Secondly the shell once empty reminds us of the empty cave, thirdly the old life in the egg is a dark and temporary phase that can be hard to cast off but must be gone through before new life can begin. 

The story of Christ’s resurrection is one that brings light into dark places, gives hope in the face of despair and he continues, even today to do the unexpected in people’s lives. It may be significant that it was to women, who at that time were often regarded as second class citizens, that Christ’s resurrection is first revealed. His light never changes but it often seems to shine more brightly in the darkness. And so, even today, it is the poor, the disadvantaged, the desperate and the outcast that he reaches most easily. The rest of have to listen harder if we want to hear his voice and recognise the new life he brings. 

Traditionally we make our new start resolutions at the beginning of the year, but for Christians it is really Easter that is the season of new beginnings and new life, now and forever. As Jesus said:

“Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

Revd Eddie