Pastor’s Corner “Fake News or Life-Changing Truth”

“…these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.”

(Luke 24:11)

According to Luke, this was the eleven apostles’ first response to the story of Jesus’ resurrection. Fake news; don’t believe it. An idle tale; disregard it. Stay locked away in your grief and fear, your disappointment and confusion, your hiddenness and shame. Jesus was not who he said he was.

Or was he?

“Remember how Jesus told you,” say the angels to the women, “that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they do remember (Luke 24:6-8)! And, standing before the empty tomb on that third day, they realize that the words Jesus spoke to them have come true, which means that all his words are true – which means that he is who says he is.

The women believe, and step into the dawn of a new life. The apostles do not believe, and remain in the shadow of death. Peter, however, runs to investigate the claim, and is confronted by evidence of the truth. He leaves the empty tomb marveling – an amazement that has not yet settled into belief. And yet, Peter is the first of the apostles to encounter the risen Jesus later that same day (Luke 24:33-34)…perhaps in response to his first faltering steps toward belief.

I encourage you to join the women in remembering Jesus’ words, and to join Peter in being confronted by the truth. You can do this by participating in the services of Maundy Thursday (7pm), Stations of the Cross (Friday, noon), Good Friday (7pm), Holy Saturday (9am), and the Rite of Reconciliation (Saturday 9:15am-noon). Entering with Jesus into his suffering, crucifixion, and death are essential to understanding the reality of his resurrection.

And Jesus’ resurrection is indeed real.

We will celebrate this reality on Sunday with our outdoor Easter Sunrise Service at 7am and our Easter Celebration Service at 10:30am (followed by an Easter egg hunt). Both services are opportunities for encountering the risen Jesus among a people who joyfully believe that he is who he says he is – the Risen Son of God who brings us into a new life of forgiveness, freedom, and re-creation.

Christ is risen, Christ is risen!

Tell it with a joyful voice.

Christ has burst the three days' prison;

Let the whole wide earth rejoice.

Death is conquered, we are free;

Christ has won the victory.

This is not fake news. It is Truth. How will you respond?

Your Pastor in Christ,