When I was a kid, like most kids, I would relish the rare opportunity to "sleep in" if school or work was not demanding my early awakening. Sadly, my father was someone who was always up early- very very early. We are talking about somewhere between 2 and 4am. It was not the usual up before the sunrise. It was more of the "up shortly after the sun sets." So, of course after he had been up for two or three hours himself, he lived with the expectation that everyone else should be up. So, I remember the words, "Are you planning to sleep all day?" That unwelcome voice often came at 6:30 or 7:0am.
Now, I have become my father. In fact, I would relish the opportunity to ask the same question to and provoke the same misery from my children. [You can call it a terrible legacy.]
But, now when I come to Easter I think of Jesus. He was up early in the day, around sunrise. First light of day and he is up- resurrected. And, to the depressed, despondent, spiritually asleep, weeping, sad and lonely he (or the angels sitting in or near the tomb) asks something to the effect "Are you going to sleep all day?" It is that perky, expectation that though you might not be hopeful or expectant, he's up and on the move. Though others may be preparing spices for a carcass, the carcass has already had breakfast and taken an invigorating walk. Though others may see no hope for the future, he's already making plans for next week.
I love Easter. In the dark of early morning, difficulties and downright evil, Jesus chose to demonstrate his vibrant aliveness. I love Easter. I envision Jesus, in my darkest and most somber moments, stepping into the room with a smile and the greeting, "Are you going to sleep all day?"