Easter is the pinnacle of the Christian year. It captures the entire Christian story in three days, but when we look at it like that, we can forget that the crucifixion of Jesus was the culmination of a whole life and ministry. None of these things can be seen in isolation; we take Jesus as a package. What was it about his life that was so challenging to the world that it made some people want to kill him?
Jesus showed that living as God in the world meant always living in a way that would bring life to the world. That meant that people were so confronted and horrified by the realities and choices he was making that they killed him. But life still won – thanks be to God!
Easter gives us a choice: we can live life on our own terms, or we can risk living a life like Jesus did, and trust that life will be unrecognizably richer as a result. Easter reminds us that, no matter what, God is with us. Easter happens, not just year after year, but moment after moment, as we recognize the presence of Christ in our lives.
The weeks of Lent strengthened and empowered Jesus’ followers to go out into the world to share the news of resurrection and new life at Easter. Easter is the time to “show up” and bear witness to Jesus’ teachings and the ways God’s love is present in our everyday lives.
It’s through ordinary and unexpected people that the story of Jesus continues in the season of Easter:
· through people like Peter who have denied Jesus;
· through people like Paul who were once persecutors of Jesus’ disciples;
· through people like Ananias who gave the gift of healing and reconciliation;
· through people like Tabitha who cared for others.
These were the people who continued the story of Jesus. We are reminded that individuals such as these, and the small community of Jesus’ followers after the Resurrection, were the beginning of the worldwide church we know today.
It should never be doubted that a small group of people, even one person, can make a significant impact on the world. How is God calling us to “show up” and impact the world with God’s love?
Easter Blessings,
Pastor Candice
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