The risen Lord Jesus commissions his church to boldly and faithfully proclaim the Easter gospel. Though some may oppose the message, the Easter gospel is the only gospel that gives spiritual and eternal life.
Life Is Not Empty—Because It Is Filled with Peace
The disciples were gathered together in fear and apprehension, yet Jesus brings a word of peace and assurance. His presence among them gives a full sense of complete well-being. Jesus is present among us today as well, assuring us that all is well and that we are truly at peace with God and with one another.
Life Is Not Empty—Because Jesus’ Grave Is
Today is Easter Sunday, the day on which we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord from the dead. On this day Christians throughout the world join their voices in praise and proclamation of the most central part of their faith – that Jesus suffered on the cross, died, was buried, and rose on the third day. Thanks be to God!
I Tell You the Truth…Today You Will Be with Me in Paradise
Today, we recall not only the last hours of the life of our Lord and King, Jesus Christ, as he was paraded through a puppet court system, suffered under Pontius Pilate and marched to Golgotha, carrying the cross to which he would be nailed, but also his purpose in doing all of this—our salvation.
I Tell You the Truth…Until I Drink It Anew in the Kingdom of God
As the time draws near for our Lord to sacrifice himself for the sins of the world, he does a remarkable thing. He offers his disciples a foretaste of the forgiveness he would soon offer the entire world. In, with, and under the bread and the wine is the true body and blood of Jesus, given and shed for the forgiveness of all of their sins—and ours. He offers that foretaste also to us today. The Lord engages all of our senses as we walk with him and his disciples through the events that lead up to his trial; those events we remember on this holy Maundy Thursday.
Difficult Lessons of Lent: Understanding God’s “Weak” Battle Plan
Those who accompanied Jesus into Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday were people who wanted a king in the style of their hopes and dreams. Instead they got a King who was determined to go to the cross and conquer our foes of sin, death, and the devil. Because he was obedient to death, the Father highly exalted him, at whose name "every knee should bow" (Philippians 2:10). Although the praises of Palm Sunday seem to be in contrast to the sorrow of Jesus' Passion, it is by his suffering that he became the King worthy of eternal praise.