Easter Sunday

“And then, on Easter Sunday, God broke the silence. He awoke. He spoke. And for those of us who walk (however reluctantly) in Jesus’ footsteps from Gethsemane and Golgotha to the Garden tomb, Easter Sunday offers irrepressible hope. That one ultimate miracle—the resurrection of the Son of God from the dead—assures us that every buried dream and dashed hope will ultimately be absorbed and resurrected into a reality far greater than anything we can currently imagine.” Pete Greig, God on Mute

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is why we celebrate Easter every year. Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose again. Death had been defeated once and for all. It is truly something to celebrate. Churches fill with triumphal music, they are donned with flowers that signal hope and new life, we feast with our families and rejoice, “He is risen! He is risen indeed!” And yet, if we look to the Sunday that immediately followed the crucifixion, rather than celebration, we find fear, trepidation, disbelief, and doubt.

 The women who were the first witnesses of His resurrection were told by the angels, “Don’t be afraid…” and that, “…they were frightened but also filled with great joy.” (Matthew 28:1-10)

The guards that witnessed the resurrection were fearful, so they told the priests what happened.  The news concerned the elders and the priests who met and decided to offer a bribe to the soldiers to tell others that Jesus’ disciples stole the body during the night. They could not be proven wrong that Jesus was who he proclaimed to be. (Matthew 28: 11-15) 

“The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing to anyone because they were too frightened.”

“When she [Mary Magdalene] told them that Jesus was alive and she had seen him, they didn’t believe her.”

“He appeared in a different form to two of his followers who were walking from Jerusalem into the country. They rushed back to tell the others, but no one believed them.

“Still later he appeared to the eleven disciples they were eating together. He rebuked them for their stubborn unbelief because they refused to believe those who had seen him after he had been raised from the dead.”  (Mark 16:8-14)

“That Sunday evening, the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders.” (John 20:19)

I find it so interesting and comforting that two events in history—Christmas and Easter—that we now celebrate as joyous events were originally marked with people who wrestled with disbelief, doubt, and having to be reminded, “Do not be afraid.” It’s easy to read these accounts and not understand how His disciples struggled so much with disbelief of His resurrection when they walked with Him daily and He told them specifically that these things would happen.

And yet…how often are my days riddled with fear and anxiety, causing me to forget His promises to me? How often do I allow my cynicism and skepticism to take over my mind because of past disappointments, losses, and hurts that cause me to question if God is good and whether or not He can actually be trusted? How often do I scroll through news and social media feeds and see a broken world, with broken systems, injustices, and violence, and too easily give up hope? How often do I see my own failures and shortcomings, and the shame and guilt whisper lies to me that I am unworthy of His love?

But as we look at Jesus’s response to those closest to Him as they grappled with the events surrounding the resurrection, we see how with each doubt, disbelief, and fear, He comes close. He walks with them on the road to Emmaus; He allows them to touch His scars; He eats with them; He calls them by name. And as He comes close, that is when they finally see - they recognize how He calls them by name (“Mary!” John 20:16), they were filled with joy when they saw the Lord (John 20:20), their hearts burned within them, and when they broke bread their eyes were opened (Luke 24:30-32).

 As I come close to my Father and spend time with Him, He opens my eyes to really see Him and how the power of His resurrection transforms everything for me. He takes my fear and anxiety and gently reminds me of His promises, His faithfulness, and quiets my fears with His love. He takes my cynicism, skepticism, hurt and disappointment and sits with me in the doubt and sadness. I am reminded that while I may have to endure suffering in this life, He IS with me and can provide a supernatural peace and joy. He shows me the broken world, broken systems, and broken people, and shows me that it was in His death and resurrection that wholeness and restoration are now possible. He is establishing a new kingdom where all things will be made new. He takes my failures, shortcomings, shame and guilt, and reminds me that I am His beloved child and that because of Jesus, He only sees righteousness, holiness. He tells me I am worthy and that nothing can ever separate me from His love.

So, as we celebrate Easter and the resurrection of Jesus, may we know that we can come to Him with our fears, doubts, and disbelief, but may we also not forget to come close to Him, look at His scars, and be reminded that His perfect love came to cast out all fear. And that is truly reason to celebrate. He is risen…He is risen indeed!

Holy Saturday

“On Holy Saturday, the hopes and prayers of every disciple lay dashed and broken in the grave. But God did nothing. Said nothing.” Pete Greig, God on Mute

Terrified.  Jesus’ disciples were terrified. With hearts racing, each of them trembling with fear. So many questions filled their minds. Was Jesus really who he claimed to be, the Son of God? Was what he showed and taught them really true, or was he just another teacher?  Had they really witnessed his brutal execution? Jesus’ disciples found themselves facing these questions immediately following his crucifixion. After spending three years witnessing his miracles and being changed by him, they were facing the harsh reality that he was dead and buried in a tomb. The Saturday following his crucifixion, also referred to as Silent Saturday, had to be the longest, darkest day of each of their lives. So many questions. So many fears. What was next?

As if that wasn’t enough, they were being pursued by both the Roman authorities and Jewish religious leaders who had crucified Jesus. The Saturday following his death, Jesus’ close followers were feeling both helpless and hopeless. Little did they know that God was still at work, even in the midst of this tragic situation; that their pain, fear, and heartbreak was part of his greater plan to bring lasting hope and eternal life to the entire world.

For on the next day, Jesus would rise from the dead and reveal himself to each of them. He would build his church through them, as they proclaimed who he is and what he did all over the world. He would command them to do so boldly and fearlessly, assuring them that he would always be with them. This empowered them to boldly proclaim Jesus all over the Roman Empire. They would make thousands of new disciples in places no one thought possible. In the face of persecution and fierce opposition, they prayed, loved, and served as he commanded. In the time following his resurrection, Jesus’ church would be built and expanded, and still is all over the world. Even though each of them faced dark moments of being imprisoned and executed for his name, his followers were not shaken. 

This shows us that even in our darkest moments, God is still with us and at work. Each of us face circumstances where we feel helpless, overwhelmed, and hopeless. This pandemic has magnified our difficulties and challenges, yet our current frustrations do not have to be the end of the story. Even though God doesn’t operate according to our timetable, he is still with us and working. Psalm 23:4 says “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff they comfort me.” 

Jesus himself told his disciples before his death that “In this life you will have many troubles but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

What we see is that God does not operate on our American timetable of instant gratification. As we wait on him, he does not leave us. We can find ourselves like Jesus’ disciples full of fears, doubts, and questions. It is critical that we remind ourselves of his promises and celebrate the way he’s already shown his goodness and faithfulness in our lives. These hardships are things we don’t have to be afraid to share with him and one another. Each of us has the choice to magnify our circumstances or magnify Jesus, who is far greater. This doesn’t mean we have to deny the pain and frustration, yet he is inviting us to give him our burdens, and trust him to pull us through. Jesus has modeled this trust for each of us. Even though he was facing death, he still trusted his Father.

You may be facing the loss of a loved one, a job layoff, or the painful heartbreak of a failed relationship. In the darkness of this moment, you may be feeling much like Jesus’ disciples on the Saturday before his resurrection—helpless and hopeless, waiting. Jesus, trusting his father to the point of death, shows us that God does his best work in hopeless situations. These dark moments are part of a greater story that God is writing through each of us.

What would happen if we sought to know him in all seasons? By spending time in prayer and reflecting on scripture at all times, we are reminded of his promises and goodness. We don’t have to wait to hit our lowest moments to seek him. Jesus was always pulling away to be with his father. When we do this, our identity and confidence is fully in him. This builds our constant trust and reliance on him at all times, no matter the season or event. So, “take heart for I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Good Friday

On Good Friday, we witness unanswered prayer. Nailed to a cross and slowly suffocating, the Son cried out to the Father with a chilling question: “My God,” He gasped, “My God, why have You forsaken Me?” And there was no response to the “why”. No dove descending. No booming voice.” Pete Greig, God on Mute  

Jesus was sent from heaven to earth to live and die for our sins.  That was the Father’s plan all along.  Jesus, son of God, would be born in a lowly manger and grow up the child of a mere carpenter.  When he came of age, he began teaching and preaching about God and his plan to redeem his people, including of course, that he, the Son of God, would die and be raised again.  Jesus would also perform miracles in God’s name.  All of this and yet people did not really understand who he was, chose to ignore it, or call him a liar for claiming to be the Messiah.

Jesus had many followers, including his twelve disciples, Jesus’ closest friends.  Regularly they were witnesses to his awesome miracles and teachings, and yet still they didn’t fully understand.  When Jesus told them that he would need to be killed and then raised again on the third day, his disciple Peter actually got upset with him for saying this (Mark 8:31-33). Mark 16:10 tells us that those who were his followers were mourning and weeping after his death. 

These followers of Jesus gave up everything to follow him: families, homes, material possessions.  They were devoted to him, to his teachings and to following him physically- telling others about the good news and the coming Messiah. So how did the followers and friends of Jesus process watching their teacher, their friend, die on the cross?

Many were probably at the scene of the cross; watching him suffer and ultimately die.  The one they had invested everything in, devoted their lives to, became close to even as a friend and confidant was now gone.  Many probably felt lost.  Their sense of purpose was gone.  The man that they thought was going to save them and become their Messiah was gone.

They met together to mourn this loss.  They cried and probably asked each other and God, “Why?” and “What now?”.  Maybe they felt angry at God, trying to reason with him, saying, “This wasn’t what was supposed to happen.  He was supposed to save us and be our mighty Messiah.” 

But what they didn’t realize is that it was never about their idea of what Jesus should be or do.  It was God’s plan.  His plan has always been to provide a Messiah, to save and redeem. 

Jesus revealed God’s plan to them many times, but they were blinded to the whole truth by their idea of what God’s plan should look like, not what it would actually look like. 

How many times have we been disappointed by God?  How many times have we questioned God’s will and goodness?  “God, you promise good to your people, you promise to give us hope and a future, but this can't be good,” or “God, why would you allow this to happen?  How could this horrible loss be part of your will?” 

Many of our questions to God are the same his followers had at the time of Jesus’ death. We can ask those questions, but eventually, we have to recall the truths we know about God.

God is a good God (Psalm 100:5).  He does love his people (Psalm 86:15).  He promises to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11), but it doesn’t always look the way we feel it should look. 

You see, God can see the big picture.  We only see a pinhole of what he sees.  He has a plan for his people, his creation.  One that is beautiful and filled with his glory, but we might not get to see his vantage point this side of eternity. 

Jesus’ followers had to wait three days.  Three days of darkness, sorrow, confusion and disappointment.  At the end of those three days there was beauty- Jesus was raised from the dead and God’s plan for redemption was revealed, but first they had to sit in the heaviness of their confusion and loss. 

God promises that all will be revealed to us, but it may not be until we get to heaven (Luke 12:2).  He may ask us to sit in the sorrow, disappointment and confusion for some time.  He warns us that this world will give us trouble (John 16:33), but he also promises to be with us (Joshua 1:9). Our creator, our Heavenly Father, who loves us so much that he sent his son to die for us (John 3:16) so that we could be saved from the bondage of sin and live in communion with him, promises to walk with us.  He gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit to bring his peace and joy (John 15:11; Romans 15:13), even when it seems impossible.  We can come to Him with our sorrow, our confusion, and our disappointment.  He promises to comfort us and to give us rest (Matthew 11:28).

The waiting is hard.  The loss often feels unbearable.  But we are never alone and we will one day see the big, beautiful picture of God’s story.  Your disappointments, your losses are not for nothing.  They are part of the beautiful story God is writing.  Take heart that God is always good, even when we don’t understand it. 

Reflections for Lent: Psalm 22

Editor’s Note:

Each Friday of the Lent season leading up to Easter, we have shared a passage of scripture that helps us reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. From before time, through Old Testament to New, this plan for God in the flesh to step down to earth and provide redemption has always been. This is the final week of Lent reflections*, and as we read the passage and think through the questions that follow, we invite you to reflect on what Christ did and His great love for us this Easter season.

The final reflection comes from Psalm 22. Written by David, in the most general sense, this psalm reflects his cry to God to save him from his enemies and ends with him thanking God for that salvation.  In a larger sense, this psalm, better than any other psalm, serves as a direct link between the Old Testament and Jesus’ passion.

Psalm 22

1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

    Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?

2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,

    and by night, but I find no rest.

3 Yet you are holy,

    enthroned on the praises of Israel.

4 In you our fathers trusted;

    they trusted, and you delivered them.

5 To you they cried and were rescued;

    in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

6 But I am a worm and not a man,

    scorned by mankind and despised by the people.

7 All who see me mock me;

    they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;

8 “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him;

    let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”

9 Yet you are he who took me from the womb;

    you made me trust you at my mother's breasts.

10 On you was I cast from my birth,

    and from my mother's womb you have been my God.

11 Be not far from me,

    for trouble is near,

    and there is none to help.

12 Many bulls encompass me;

    strong bulls of Bashan surround me;

13 they open wide their mouths at me,

    like a ravening and roaring lion.

14 I am poured out like water,

    and all my bones are out of joint;

my heart is like wax;

    it is melted within my breast;

15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd,

    and my tongue sticks to my jaws;

    you lay me in the dust of death.

16 For dogs encompass me;

    a company of evildoers encircles me;

they have pierced my hands and feet—

17 I can count all my bones—

they stare and gloat over me;

18 they divide my garments among them,

    and for my clothing they cast lots.

19 But you, O Lord, do not be far off!

    O you my help, come quickly to my aid!

20 Deliver my soul from the sword,

    my precious life from the power of the dog!

21     Save me from the mouth of the lion!

You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!

22 I will tell of your name to my brothers;

    in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:

23 You who fear the Lord, praise him!

    All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,

    and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!

24 For he has not despised or abhorred

    the affliction of the afflicted,

and he has not hidden his face from him,

    but has heard, when he cried to him. 

25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation;

    my vows I will perform before those who fear him.

26 The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied;

    those who seek him shall praise the Lord!

    May your hearts live forever!

27 All the ends of the earth shall remember

    and turn to the Lord,

and all the families of the nations

    shall worship before you.

28 For kingship belongs to the Lord,

    and he rules over the nations.

29 All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship;

    before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,

    even the one who could not keep himself alive.

30 Posterity shall serve him;

    it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;

31 they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn,

    that he has done it.

Reflection questions:

1. Jesus quoted David’s words in verse 1 while he was on the cross [Matthew 27:46]. What other verses in Psalm 22 point to the events of Good Friday?

2. Even as David is in distress, he chooses to praise God and remember His goodness. What characteristics of God does David reference in this passage?

 3. While praising God, David points to the finished work that will ultimately come through the cross. Through Jesus, salvation is available for all. How can you live in light of this truth this week—is there some truth you need to remember in your own walk with Jesus? Is there someone in your life who you can pray for, remind, tell for the first time, or in some other way show how greatly they are loved by the Savior?

*Although this is the final Lent reflection, check back next week, as three of our writers share thoughts on Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday.  

Reflections for Lent: 2 Corinthians 5: 14-21

Editor’s Note:

Each Friday of the Lent season leading up to Easter, we will share a passage of scripture that helps us reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. From before time, through Old Testament to New, this plan for God in the flesh to step down to earth and provide redemption has always been. As you read these passages and think through the questions that follow, we invite you to reflect on what Christ did and His great love for us this Easter season.

This week, we turn to 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.  Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Reflection questions:

Verse 17 states that, if you are in Christ, you are a new creation—the old ways leading to death are gone, replaced by the righteousness of Christ. Take a minute and reflect on that truth.

1. In what areas of your life are you living as a new creation?

2. If there are areas where you currently don’t feel like you are living out this promise, what needs to change (e.g. thoughts, actions) to help you better live in light of Christ’s victory on the cross?

3. If there is some area you identify as needing change, remembering what Drew touched on in this past week’s message and Pastor Joe reiterated at the end, is there someone you can invite into that space to help hold you accountable?

The definition of reconciliation is to restore to friendship or harmony two opposing sides; to end estrangement. In the biblical sense, reconciliation is to restore a right relationship between God and man. Take a minute to reflect that Jesus surrendered to God’s plan for reconciliation between God and man by dying on the cross for our sins, and gives us the ministry of reconciliation—to share the news of Christ with others.

4. Who is one person you can pray for this Lent season, that they would come to a right relationship with God?

Reflections for Lent: Isaiah 53

Editor’s Note:

Each Friday of the Lent season leading up to Easter, we will share a passage of scripture that helps us reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. From before time, through Old Testament to New, this plan for God in the flesh to step down to earth and provide redemption has always been. As you read these passages and think through the questions that follow, we invite you to reflect on what Christ did and His great love for us this Easter season.

Isaiah 53

“Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.

By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?

And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.

Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.

Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.”

Reflection Questions:

Isaiah prophesies the coming Messiah as lowly and unimpressive, yet when Jesus came to earth, many were still looking for a mighty, flashy king— so much so, that many missed their Savior right in front of them.

Even though we don't have Jesus face to face with us today, He still wants to meet with us.

1. How are we seeking Him out?  Are we too preoccupied with wanting to see Him through big signs and miracles, that we are missing Him in the everyday, mundane moments of life?

2. How can you be more aware of your Savior today?

3. In what ways is He revealing Himself to you today?

Reflections for Lent: Romans 5:6-21

Editor’s Note:

Each Friday of the Lent season leading up to Easter, we will share a passage of scripture that helps us reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. From before time, through Old Testament to New, this plan for God in the flesh to step down to earth and provide redemption has always been. As you read these passages and think through the questions that follow, we invite you to reflect on what Christ did and His great love for us this Easter season.

Last week, we saw in Genesis 3 that at the first instance of sin, God revealed His plan for salvation. In Romans 5, we see a connection drawn between Jesus and Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. Let’s read Romans 5:6-21:

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.

But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Reflection Questions:

1.    We can rejoice because we have been made friends of God.  What does it mean to be a friend of God?

2.   How is a friendship with God unique from any other friendship?

3.   How can we deepen our friendship with God?

Reflections for Lent: Genesis 3:13-15

Editor’s Note:

Each Friday of the Lent season leading up to Easter, we will share a passage of scripture that helps us reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. From before time, through Old Testament to New, this plan for God in the flesh to step down to earth and provide redemption has always been. As you read these passages and think through the questions that follow, we invite you to reflect on what Christ did and His great love for us this Easter season.

Genesis 3:13-15

“Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

Reflection Questions:

1) At the first instance of sin, God already revealed His plan of salvation. Why do you think He chose to reveal this promise right then?

2) How has the Gospel shown itself while you were at your lowest?