The Good News is Alive in The World * Taylor L.G. Hartman

·19 min·1 clip

An angel descends during an earthquake to tell two women that the crucified Jesus is not in his tomb.

The episode is a sermon by Pastor Taylor Lewis Guthrie Hartman of Second Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Virginia. It begins with a reading from Matthew 28:1-10, detailing the resurrection morning encounter at the tomb. Hartman notes the women came empty-handed, not expecting to see Jesus. He contrasts their posture with the Roman guards sent by Pilate to secure the tomb, who fall faint when an angel appears. The sermon highlights the angel's message 'do not be afraid,' bookending the Gospel of Matthew which began with a similar angelic message to Joseph. Hartman emphasizes that the women, upon seeing the empty tomb, run with 'fear and great joy' to tell the disciples. He then personalizes the narrative by recounting a visit to his friend O. Benjamin in hospice. Despite impending death, Ben smiles and declares 'this life' is incredible. The sermon returns to the biblical text, explaining that 'Galilee' is a placeholder—Christ meets people wherever they are. Hartman directly addresses the congregation, asking if they came expecting to see the risen Christ. He lists specific places—where one feels not good enough, where the body breaks with illness, where doubt shrouds hope amid war and empire—asserting that Christ meets people there saying 'do not be afraid.' The sermon concludes by encouraging listeners to be 'empty-handed' and to run to share the good news that we belong to God from life to death.

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