I Believe… And It Makes a Difference
Elaine Poproski Download: Audio
Click here to download the sermon manuscript.
Scripture
Luke 24:1 – 12
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. Read more….
1 Corinthians 15:19 – 26
If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. Read more…
Looking to Sunday
by Elaine Poproski
It’s Easter! This is the holiday of all holidays in the Christian calendar. It’s the time of year when we remember, not just the good things Jesus taught and the way he lived his life, but the way he rose from the dead, opening the gate to eternal life for all of us.
Sometimes I think we’re so used to the whole Jesus died for us and rose from the dead thing, that we forget how extraordinary it is. We forget the cost of our salvation. And we forget the remarkable miracle that was the resurrection. We’re so used to the idea that we have eternal life in Jesus, that we are no longer amazed by it. I wonder if this year, even with COVID continuing to inhibit our lives and our worship services being relegated to Zoom, we might pause and be amazed for a moment or two.
Four years ago, I had the privilege of baptising Brett. Some of you will remember that baptism. Every baptism I’ve ever participated in has been special, but there was something extra special about Brett’s baptism. When Brett was baptised, he knew he was dying. And he had the most beautiful faith in Jesus’ love for him and in his own assured eternal life after death. Brett loved the song, Death Was Arrested because of that faith and assurance. A year later Brett was no longer with us, but I will never forget the look on his face as he spoke with awe about Jesus’ gift of salvation and life.
On Friday we are invited to spend some time at the cross. We are invited to step into the story for a bit, imagining what it was like for those who loved Jesus as they witnessed his crucifixion. We are invited into a time of grief and lament. And we are invited into a time of thanksgiving as we consider that the whole story was for us.
On Sunday we are invited to the empty tomb. We are invited to join in the shock of the initial discovery and the celebration as the reality of Jesus’ resurrection sank in. We are invited to breathe deeply of the freedom and hope that the living Jesus continues to offer.
As you prepare for Sunday, I would encourage you not to skip over the pain of Good Friday. Join us for a Good Friday service at 7:00 pm over Zoom. Or join with another church for their service. Take some time for sadness and lament. And then allow yourself to move out of that place into the resurrection. As you prepare for Sunday, perhaps spend some time cataloguing everything you can think of that’s wonderful about belonging to Jesus.