"Always One Step Ahead" - Mark 16:1-8 - April 23, 2000

When the three women approached the tomb that Easter morning they were concerned about the giant stone that blocked the entrance. How could they possibly move it? Why did they even bother to go, knowing that the stone was there? It was like they had a blind faith, somehow hoping that they could find help to move it. Not knowing what they would find, they went.

As you hear the rest of the story, you realize that although the women are perplexed, God is one step ahead of them. When the women reach the tomb the stone is already rolled away. The obstacle they had feared was no longer blocking their path. After entering the tomb they are encountered by a man. They are startled at the presence of a stranger. Once again, God is one step ahead of them for the man assures them that they have nothing to fear.

But, there is one more obstacle. Jesus is missing. Where could he be? Has someone stolen his body? Now they are really desperate. But, just as before, God is one step ahead of them. The stranger speaks, telling them that not only is Jesus gone from the grave, he is already ahead of them, waiting in Galilee.

Permit me to tell a sea story. One summer afternoon my wife and I were sailing on Great Lake St. Mary’s. It was extremely windy. We were heading into a landing where we could take a break and have lunch. The wind was behind us, and the marina was congested. I was having a difficult time maneuvering the sailboat into a dock.

About that time a man came from out of the restaurant, shouting at us, "Throw me a line,. throw me a line!" My wife threw him a line and he helped to secure the boat. Later he gave me his name and number and said that his hobby was repairing boats. Our boat was in good condition and I thanked him for the information. But, for some reason I kept the paper in my wallet.

That was several years ago. This spring my boat needs some repairs. I have no means of lifting a 2,000 pound boat off a trailer. I found the paper he had given me in my top dresser drawer and remembered he had said something about having the capability of lifting a boat off its trailer. I called him and discovered he is very willing to make all the necessary repairs on my boat at a very nominal cost.

I worried for months as to how I was going to make repairs on a sailboat in the middle of farm country. I had visions of huge repair bills and towing my boat to Lake Erie. But in our crisis and in a time of need, help was there. God is always one step ahead of us when we are willing to throw out the line and let God help.

I am sure that everyone here has some obstacle in their life they would like to have removed or find themselves in a crisis, desperately in need of help. Perhaps there is a giant wall that separates you and a personal goal you would like to pursue. Perhaps there is a huge boulder that stands between you and someone you love. Or maybe you feel like you are sinking. In all these cases you are immobilized, afraid and all seems hopeless.

Just as God was one step ahead for the three woman that day God is one step ahead for you. And through your willingness to give God a chance and throw God a line, God will remove the obstacles from your life and give you assurance.

God is always one step ahead of us. God is aware of our burdens, God is capable of rolling away the stones in our lives too. We need to trust that God will make things happen. God assures us when the going gets tough. God is always there for us, regardless of the fear that grips us. And God is always out in front, leading the way, waiting for us to catch up. God is like a man standing on the dock, ready to bring us safely to shore.

When the women arrived at the tomb they were surprised. Just when all seemed hopeless, God has a way of intervening and helping. God also gave reassurance. The women were not alone. There was someone there to be with them in their time of despair. "Jesus is not missing, he has risen." And for further reassurance, they are told that Jesus has gone on ahead of them to Galilee. He is just as much in the future as he is in the present.

The good news of Easter is that God is always one step ahead of us. We are reminded of how God surprises us and that God gives reassurance. Nevertheless, the good news of Easter also has a challenge. We can’t expect God to intervene on our behalf without giving God a chance.

God is one step ahead of us because God is able to liberate us from life’s obstacles. God is one step ahead of us because God gives us assurance when we are afraid. God is one step ahead of us because God is out in front, leading the way.

Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio