Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”)... Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” - John 20:11-16,18 (NIV)

Easter sneaks up on us. We have endured Outback, served in Project Outreach, and performed in Artward Bound plays; gone away from campus for a few days of spring break or pre-season sports camp; and suddenly, Easter Sunday is upon us.

Returning to campus on Good Friday, we have hardly had time to settle back into our routine, and we are celebrating the most important Christian holiday of all. Just as the melting snow and warmer temperatures startle us after a long, dark winter, the empty tomb surprises us with its promises of hope and new life.  

Indeed, the amazement that Easter is here reminds us of Mary's surprise at the empty tomb. Coming to bury her friend and teacher, Jesus, Mary is so undone by what she finds that she fails to recognize her Risen Lord and stands weeping outside the empty Tomb, distraught in her grief. Through her veil of tears, Mary mistakes Jesus for the gardener until, finally, she recognizes HIS voice calling her by name, “Mary.” Hearing this - being seen by Jesus, all of her sorrows fall away, and Mary is transfixed by the realization of the resurrection. 

She went to that burial cave expecting death and an end, but instead, she is amazed to find Jesus alive, having triumphed over the grave.

 

Having just returned from Poland and our work with the orphaned children of Ukraine, the Holderness students and I were amazed to find Easter where we least expected it–in these young ones. Already they have seen so much devastation and been stung by the pain of acute loss, and yet, they are resilient and full of hope–eager to play and live in peace–to simply be kids again. Their expectations of a better tomorrow for themselves and for Ukraine taught us so much about resilience. They truly exhibited a resurrection spirit despite all they have endured in their short time on earth.

At the end of the Gospel story, Matthew reports that “Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord.’” My prayer is that you would be surprised by the empty tomb and experience the risen Lord this Easter. May you and your families experience resurrection through God’s unfailing love in unexpected and surprising ways.

Alleluia! He is Risen!

About the Author

Jay Hutchinson
Theology and Religious Studies Faculty & Chaplain

Rev. Jay Hutchinson spent 23 years as a chaplain, teacher, and coach at Saint Andrew’s School in Middletown, DE. Over the course of his career, he has also taught and tended to the spiritual life of students at Saint Mark’s School, Choate Rosemary Hall, and Canterbury School.

Service has also been an important part of Rev. Hutchinson’s life: he served as Coordinator of Community Outreach at Saint Andrew’s School, Director of Community Service at Choate Rosemary Hall, and has personally served on the boards of Heronfield School and Family Help, Inc., a Delaware nonprofit that provides low-cost housing to individuals struggling with homelessness, drug addiction, and abusive relationships.

In addition to serving as Chaplain, Rev. Hutchinson teaches religious studies and coaches boys junior varsity lacrosse. He holds a B.A. in Economics from Amherst College and a Master of Divinity from Harvard University.