You enjoyed the blockbuster; now try the series.
Sunday was an amazing day of blessings and beauty—the faces of a community, soul-stirring music (from choir, instrumentalists, and congregation), energy and excitement, the joy of a baptism and profession of faith, and at the heart of it all … good news. Christ is risen! Alleluia! Death is defeated, along with all its minions. All things are made new.
Easter is a glorious, cosmos-transforming moment, miraculous, mind-boggling. And Easter is a season of celebration and joy that continues all the way to Pentecost. The season is a chance to rejoice some more, relish in the good news, try the message on for size, consider the implications and power of Resurrection, and then … rejoice some more. Easter is at the heart of who we are; Easter defines us.
Sunday was the blockbuster. Now comes the series that takes us farther and deeper (New episodes released weekly, not available for binging until late May). We’ll explore the marvelous post-Easter universe. What is this new life in Christ that defines the church, shapes our hope, alters our vision, and sends us out to change the world? Come and refresh your spirit.
A quick teaser: For four of the weeks ahead we’ll look at the First Letter of Peter. No goosebumps? Trust me. First Peter is an amazing journey in language and image through our transformation in the grace of Christ. The story carries us to the heights of heaven AND the depths of Hades (Spoiler: Hades loses), all without digital effects. Over the course of the season, we will also celebrate Youth Sunday AND Confirmation Sunday, two of the most joyous moments of our church year.
One more thing: Sunday’s Scripture lesson includes this verse, “Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
I don’t know how you feel about that verse, but I invite you to take one phrase and put it on your dashboard, stick it in your pocket, carry it in your book bag, or make it your home screen. Run the words through your fingers like loose change or worry beads. Do they feel strange to you? Comforting? Have these words every described a moment for you? When?
Here are the words: “indescribable and glorious joy.”
In Christ,
Mark