Resurrection
Staying on Mission
Apr 23, 2014 11:05 AM
“The women scurried off quickly away from the tomb, in a mixture of terror and great delight, and went to tell his disciples. Suddenly, there was Jesus himself. He met them and said, “Greetings!” They came up to him and took hold of his feet, prostrating themselves in front of him. ‘Don’t be afraid,’ said Jesus to them. ‘Go and tell my brothers that they should go to Galilee. Tell them they’ll see me there.’”
–Matthew 28:8-10
Good Morning! It is only Wednesday, yet for many of us we feel as though we have lived a lifetime in the past few days. This morning, I can’t help but think of the words we looked at on Sunday. When we deal with loss, the emotions of Easter morning take on new meaning for us. We understand that you can have a mixture of fear and delight at the same time. One point that I didn’t deal with on Sunday still lingers in my mind.
The women leave the tomb that morning. They are walking in a confused state of ‘terror and great delight’ as Matthew records it. Then, Jesus suddenly appears to them. Jesus greets them and then gives them nearly the same instructions the angel gave them. To paraphrase, Jesus essentially says, “I know you are afraid, but do not be. Go and tell my friends that I am risen and they will see me.”
What do I think would be Jesus words to us today as a church? “I know that you are working through loss, but do not be afraid. Continue on the mission I’ve given you- to tell the world that I am risen and they will see me.” Monday night as visitation wrapped up, Zac's great-uncle pulled me to the side. He said, "You and I both know there are people who go to church and people who are the church. You have some great people who are the church." We are truly blessed and we must 'press on' because it is Christ who has conquered death! We must continue being the church!
“For the Messiah’s love makes us press on. We have come to the conviction that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all in order that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised on their behalf.”
–2 Corinthians 5:14-15
Grace and peace,
Pastor John
–Matthew 28:8-10
Good Morning! It is only Wednesday, yet for many of us we feel as though we have lived a lifetime in the past few days. This morning, I can’t help but think of the words we looked at on Sunday. When we deal with loss, the emotions of Easter morning take on new meaning for us. We understand that you can have a mixture of fear and delight at the same time. One point that I didn’t deal with on Sunday still lingers in my mind.
The women leave the tomb that morning. They are walking in a confused state of ‘terror and great delight’ as Matthew records it. Then, Jesus suddenly appears to them. Jesus greets them and then gives them nearly the same instructions the angel gave them. To paraphrase, Jesus essentially says, “I know you are afraid, but do not be. Go and tell my friends that I am risen and they will see me.”
What do I think would be Jesus words to us today as a church? “I know that you are working through loss, but do not be afraid. Continue on the mission I’ve given you- to tell the world that I am risen and they will see me.” Monday night as visitation wrapped up, Zac's great-uncle pulled me to the side. He said, "You and I both know there are people who go to church and people who are the church. You have some great people who are the church." We are truly blessed and we must 'press on' because it is Christ who has conquered death! We must continue being the church!
“For the Messiah’s love makes us press on. We have come to the conviction that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all in order that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised on their behalf.”
–2 Corinthians 5:14-15
Grace and peace,
Pastor John
