WE KNOW THE STORY SO WELL. It's not surprising it has been told and retold in sermon and song, as well as on the screen, with all the special effects that Hollywood has to offer. Its incredible impact touches us at many levels. Listening to Handel's "Messiah" at Easter is a powerful reminder of that joyous story of Jesus' virgin birth, and of its counterpart, his resurrection. The two goalposts of mortality—birth and death—are swept away by the life of Jesus of Nazareth.
I remember, as a music student, revelling in the genius of Bach's "St. Matthew Passion," but feeling spiritually shortchanged that his retelling of the events ended on the cross. I wanted to hear the even more glorious music I felt sure he would have written, had he finished the story. I wanted the victory over the tomb, the stone rolled away, the awe in Mary's heart as she whispered, "Rabboni ... Master" (John 20:16), and then Peter leaping into the water to be first at the shore for the morning meal with their risen Master. But it would have made for a very long concert.
Over the years, I've also wondered whether the Passion ended as it did because Jesus' crucifixion is more believable to the human mind than his resurrection. The majority believed the crucifixion was the end. It wasn't until the Holy Spirit woke the disciples and those around them to what had really happened, that the power of the Christ began to work in human consciousness (see Acts, chap. 2). Then people started to hear and believe their joyful witness, "Christ is risen!" and take on board its startling implication for the whole world.
