Nothing is Certain Except Taxes 3/24/10

This year was the first year in some years that we haven't had an accountant do our taxes. Fortunately in the intervening years the comprehensive on-line tax services have made the process relatively easy – even for those of us who have to factor in all of the clergy complications. Relatively easy – that is like a root canal is relatively easy with Novocaine. The pain is lessened but you still have to put yourself through it.

Like it or not, whether you expect a refund or not, we have to put ourselves through it because as the old adage says, “There is nothing certain except death and taxes.”

Mary Magdalene and the other women knew both realities. That had certainly dealt with their share of tax collectors over the years. You could curse them, hate them and maybe even try to avoid them but sooner or later you had to pay the piper. Now they knew it with death. No one wanted to hear Jesus talk about his death, not Peter or the others, and certainly not Mary.

Avoidance felt so comforting until the cold, hard reality of Friday stretched now to Sunday morning. Still, as unpleasant as the prospect was there were things that had to be done for a body – it was only right.

Luke 24:1-8 (The Message)
1-3At the crack of dawn on Sunday, the women came to the tomb carrying the burial spices they had prepared. They found the entrance stone rolled back from the tomb, so they walked in. But once inside, they couldn't find the body of the Master Jesus. 4-8They were puzzled, wondering what to make of this. Then, out of nowhere it seemed, two men, light cascading over them, stood there. The women were awestruck and bowed down in worship. The men said, "Why are you looking for the Living One in a cemetery? He is not here, but raised up. Remember how he told you when you were still back in Galilee that he had to be handed over to sinners, be killed on a cross, and in three days rise up?" Then they remembered Jesus' words.

Jesus is risen! Jesus is alive – and that changes everything. Burial spices are forgotten – who needs them? Fearful disciples are filled with courage to tell the world about Jesus. The bad news of death is canceled with the good news of life for all who will receive it. The one who was buried is alive and has changed the world. Jesus continues to change the world. Jesus continues to change us and fill us with life, and make us ready for the coming of his Kingdom when I think he will settle that tax thing too.