Easter 2026

(Matthew 28: 1-11)

I don’t know about you, but as a child I loved an Easter egg hunt. The excitement of finding something tucked away, the unexpected bright shining foil in a tuft of grass, the delight in discovering the egg no-one else has spotted yet. And as much as egg hunts have become a standard part of many children’s activities at this time of year I wonder if they have something to offer us as we hear the Easter story today. For many children, the focus might be on seeking out chocolate treats, but what would it mean to think about our Easter faith as a hunt? Not a hunt for eggs, but a search for the risen Jesus.

On that first Easter morning, Mary Magdalane and the other Mary were on their way to the tomb. They were searching for something, but in Matthew’s gospel at least, it is not clear what. We are told they wanted to ‘look at the tomb.’ They hadn’t seen where Jesus was buried and so wanted to come and be as close as they could to their friend and teacher. Or perhaps they are curious about the rumours about the guard of soldiers that has been placed there, and the massive stone which sealed the tomb. More likely, in the immediate shock and numbness of grief, they probably didn’t know themselves what they were looking for. They needed something to do, somewhere to go.

Yet they stand their ground- with more courage and strength than the soldiers who collapse to the floor. The guards’ stricken bodies are an echo of Jesus’ broken body.

If this was an Easter egg hunt, they might think they have found the perfect place. But here comes the second surprise. The stone has been rolled away; the glorious messenger of God’s glory appears. After all that fanfare it would seem to be the perfect moment for the triumphant appearance of the risen Jesus. But there is nothing there! The tomb is empty. All that is to be seen is the place where his lifeless body had been laid to rest.

Instead of a glorious revelation, the women are presented with an absence. ‘He is not here.’ Even those of us who know the end of the story must confront the profound mystery. It is in the darkness of the unknown that Jesus was raised. Resurrection has already taken place. The angel tells the good news, ‘He has been raised!’ It does not require the rolling back of the stone. It does not happen with a great flourish, but out of sight, when no one is looking. Just as the Easter eggs are hidden before everyone arrives, God is at work before we realise there is work to be done. In the midst of our uncertainties and grief, in the darkness of the pain of our world – this is where resurrection happens, this is where new life begins. We discover the good news once the dawn breaks.

This is the message the women are entrusted with. Jesus is always ‘going ahead’ of us. He is one step ahead, calling us to keep looking, to keep searching, beyond the expected places. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary must give the joyful yet mysterious news that Jesus is going ahead of them to Galilee. His disciples must journey in hope to meet him there.

And so faithfully they take their message, perhaps with more questions than answers running through their minds. But of course, there is one more surprise. Just when they have given up looking, resigned that all the easter eggs have been found, the shiny foil captures their gaze in a place they thought they had already looked. Suddenly Jesus meets them! What a gift they have received. The disciples must travel on to Galilee, but here is Jesus with them now. They clasp onto his feet in wonder, in joy, in worship.

It could be the final culmination of the search, but it is not as straightforward as that. Having found Jesus, and even held him in their hands, they must let him go again. It is as though the children must reluctantly hand back the prize egg they have found. But this time they hand it over in hope. They let it go so that it can be shared with more people. The women have a job to do, an important role to play, a message to deliver. They must leave Jesus once again, but this time in faith and trust and joy, knowing that they will see him in Galilee.

We might imagine them arriving to see the disciples, just like the children bringing home their basket of eggs. Eager to share with others the delight of the search and the joy of the gifts. They have seen the Lord! Matthew’s gospel reminds us that the searching does not stop here. Our Easter faith holds together the joy of meeting the risen Jesus, with an awareness that he is present in our uncertainty and darkness. It offers space for the mystery of searching for God and not finding him in the obvious places. Above all, it is an invitation to journey forward in hope. Easter does not end with the encounter by the tomb, it begins with a message of hope to be shared with others. He is going ahead of us. He is always ahead of us! Let us take the message of hope to all those we meet. Together we can journey onwards, seeking Jesus as we go, ready to let him surprise us with joy. Alleluia!

Amen