Sunday 20th April 2025 Easter Sunday

The Guard’s Report
I’m supposed to write some sort of report saying what happened didn’t happen. Them priests want us to say that that group of Galilean fishermen overpowered us and took the body. Well, it’s their money, and her indoors keeps on about a new dress. But I need to put down somewhere what really happened, cos I’m not sure I believe it myself. The two of us was sent to guard the tomb. Guard the tomb! As if there was anything that could happen – it took a group of us to roll that ruddy great stone across the hole. And we had to use stakes as levers and everything. Ain’t nobody going to move that thing! Well there was the two of us, having a bit of a chat to keep us awake, y’know talking about the day before, some of the things what had happened, some of the things this Jesus-bloke was supposed to have said and done.
So we was chatting, when, and I‘ll swear to Jupiter and all the other gods that this is true, there was this blindin’ light from within the tomb, and an earthquake as the stone rolled to one side. Well, we was a bit shook up to say the least but we managed to sort ourselves out and have a look in the tomb. Empty! ‘cept for the grave clothes which were neatly folded in one corner. And I know he was in there before cos I was the one what made the final check before we heaved that stone in place.

When we come out again, there was this bloke all shining-like, talking with some of the Galilean women who had flowers and ointments. And this shining bloke was saying,’ He is risen from the dead’. Then them women ran off, well more like danced off, laughing and cheering. And that’s the truth of what happened.
‘Course the priests want us to write some cock‘n’bull about them fishermen taking the body. Well, if it gets she-who-must-be a new dress and me in her good books, as I say, it’s their money. But I know what really happened cos I was there. And I’m going to tell my kids and their kids, so they’ll know the truth .
There in the ground His body lay, Light of the world by darkness slain:

Then bursting forth in glorious Day up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine – bought with the precious blood of Christ.

Rev Phil