Today we commemorate John Chrysostom (347-407). He was a noted preacher in the early church. (His name means “golden mouth.”) He spent much of his early career in Antioch and in 397 became Bishop of Constantinople, one of the most prestigious positions in the church. Although quite popular with the poor, he irritated the well-to-do and powerful by condemning excess. He made enemies of many of the clergy who liked their comforts and infuriated the empress Aelia Eudoxia. John was banished from Constantinople twice and died in exile.

John’s life was a whole lot more complicated than this brief outline suggests. But it is his preaching rather than his life that fascinates me. Probably his best known sermon is the Easter Homily that he gave around 400. Here’s an excerpt.

Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free.
He has destroyed it by enduring it.
He destroyed Hell when He descended into it.
He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh.

Isaiah foretold this when he said,
“You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below.”
Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with.
It was in an uproar because it is mocked.
It was in an uproar, for it is destroyed.
It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated.
It is in an uproar, for it is now made captive.

Hell took a body, and discovered God.
It took earth, and encountered Heaven.
It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see.

O death, where is thy sting?
O Hell, where is thy victory?

Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated!
Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is Risen, and life is liberated!

Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead;
for Christ having risen from the dead,
is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!

That’s great preaching. It’s still inspiring 1600 years later.

Read Romans 10:8-9 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne