The spirit moved over creation in the very beginning and set all things in motion, and life swam in the ocean for the sport of it, rose up from the water to walk on land, flew through the air, and dwelt full of grace in an all sufficient garden. That same Spirit, in good time, came down like a dove as Jesus rose up from the water of the Jordan, while a voice sang out-"this is my beloved Son, listen to Him".

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit we tell the stories, gather the willing and pour the water - baptizing new Christians into the mystical body of Christ, the company of all faithful people. Last night we did this again, by the light of hundreds of candles, bringing Benjamin Orthwien into the priesthood of all believers.

Through baptism we come to share not just in an experience that Jesus had one day in a river, but in a stream of benefits from His life, ministry, death and resurrection. Look in that font on your way out and see the water that remains - there is more power to move humanity in that small pool than in a three-stage rocket. Dip your fingers in and put some on your forehead or on your chest, over your heart, in remembrance of what such water does.

The stories of Jesus' life roll down like a mighty river. This Son of God has walked on water, stilled raging waves, and given the water of life to the spiritually thirsty. Jesus would tell them the truth, or lay his hands upon them and they too would rise up with a new spirit within them with suddenly supple limbs or scale free eyes or illness free bodies to become walking proclamations of the power of God. The former blind, or lame, or outcast would make statements like "he told me my whole life," and then they would bring entire towns to see Jesus.

But Jesus' first sign was semi-anonymous, changing water into wine at a wedding. The water set aside for the rites of purification was turned into libation, sufficient beverage for two families' celebration - a marriage of heaven and earth, a fitting symbol, a right beginning to his public life. Jesus sat quietly by Mary's side seeking not to draw attention to himself- it was not yet the time- but look closely and see that Jesus acted as the hidden host providing not only wine - an abundance of wine- but wine that the mystified steward pronounced as best.

Jesus didn't stop with water or cease making miracles with that first one at Cana. He moved from the cup to solid food. His hands held bread, so many times, at everyday tables, on grassy hillsides with seated thousands, at the Last Supper with an intimate few. And each time he looked towards heaven, blessed the bread, broke it and gave it to his friends - so many friends - and all were fed, in so many ways.

Indeed, God so loved the world that he gave his only son to be blessed and broken that whoever believes in him should not perish. Jesus is bread for the world. His blood is drink indeed. Eat this bread, drink this wine and you shall live forever.

Live forever? How are we supposed to believe that? People die. We've seen it.

Yes, people die. But we've only seen part of the story. Lazarus was dead, gone for three days, no four - long enough for a stench to come out from the tomb. He was gone - gone forever - the mourners knew it.

They had seen the linen wrapped body, smelled the burial spices, watched the stone being placed over the opening…a stone like death itself, a weight that squeezed the hearts of those who saw it, a rock that sealed away the past and hid the person from view forever. Lazarus was really dead. There was that sickening smell. What further evidence did anyone need?

"Your brother will live again. Do you believe this?" Jesus had asked Mary. "Yes, Lord," she replied, "'I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day."

"I am the resurrection and the life," Jesus answered.

Then Jesus stood there, weeping, but full of some electric presence. "Roll away the stone!" He said. What trepidation they must have felt. Who could contend with death and hope to live? Then Jesus spoke again, full of incontrovertible authority, the words they would never forget- "Lazarus, come out!" And if the words had not burned themselves into their memories, the vision that unfolded seared like a branding iron that marked them as Christ's own forever.

The dead man rose, his bindings were removed by his friends. He came out of the tomb and into the house. Lazarus sat with them at table, like a bridge between two worlds - like bread fresh from a stone oven - blessed, broken, raised up then shared with all at the table. They may have struggled to believe Jesus' words before the stone was rolled away, but now? There on the table was bread. There was the wine. There was a body raised up as Jesus had promised. Lazarus lived, and so will we - our souls and bodies.

Can we see the progression here, even before we follow Mary to another tomb, another stone rolled away? Will we let ourselves remember any of the words that Jesus spoke along the way? Will we let ourselves be changed by the words of witnesses? How many signs do we need to see to allow ourselves to believe?

Here is a table. There is the bread and the wine. He promised to be with us whenever we do this in His name. Thousands are always welcome but just two or three are sufficient for Him to come. He is here for those ready to receive Him.

The tomb is empty. Let us not seek the living Christ among the dead. He is not there. He is here in Spirit, in the water of the font, in the lives of the baptized, in the actions of those who come weekly to be fed, in the hope waiting to be kindled in those who come here carrying their dead and looking for signs of resurrection. All tombs shall be empty. All dead shall rise. All sins shall fall away. And the Savior shall reign forever and ever.

One small word from us opens this new world to us, and that word is "yes."

God does not coerce or overpower. God sits like a quiet guest at a wedding and waits. Every bride and groom knows that you don't end up in a meaningful relationship until one person has said "I love you" and the other person returns the sentiment. That profession is an essential step in a progression that leads to the altar.

So too our spiritual lives begins with a "yes" but mature when we answer "I will" to a series of questions that lead into ever more commitment and a deeper fidelity. Can we not hear God's profession of love for us - can we not see it in all the stories from Genesis to Revelation? How shall we answer?

On that answer hangs a new heaven and a new earth. Not because God withholds these things from us, but because relationship depends on both parties consent. God is constantly inviting us. The next word is ours.

From the words we speak come either more of the same, or a new life as radically different as the far side of an opened burial stone. On one side is the inevitability of death and decay. On the other side is our empty tomb - the promised victory. Jesus invites us, "Roll away the stone!" Shall we roll away our fears, our doubts? Say "yes!" then come to the wedding feast where water is constantly changing into wine. Come to the table where bread becomes the body that we share and death is changed into life.

Alleluia, He is Risen! Come to His table and live.
AMEN