Pastor’s Corner“ The Resurrected Jesus: Real, Personal, Intentional”

Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’She turned and said him in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’

(John 20:16)

The above exchange happens between Jesus and Mary Magdalene outside the empty tomb on Easter morning. In her grief and doubt, Mary fails to recognize the resurrected Jesus…until he speaks her name.

Notice how personal Jesus is, and how intentional. Jesus didn’t die for an idea or for a cause; he died for persons. Jesus wasn’t resurrected to establish a religion; he was resurrected to restore a relationship. His intent is for each person to encounter him, to hear his voice, and to join him in a renewed relationship with Yahweh as Father and God (John 20:17).

The final words of Malcolm Guite’s “Palm Sunday” poem have echoed in my heart this Holy Week: “Jesus come/Break my resistance and make me your home.” The real, living person of Jesus is here to be with you, to break down walls of separation, to speak your name and to call you into a renewed relationship. You can listen and respond to his voice 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 is inextricable from walking with him into his resurrection.

We will celebrate this reality of the resurrected person that is Jesus on Saturday night with The Great Vigil of Easter at 8pm, and on Sunday with our outdoor Easter Sunrise Service at 7am (we’ll move inside if it’s raining) and our Easter Celebration Service at 10:30am (followed by an Easter egg hunt). These services are opportunities for encountering the risen Jesus among a people who joyfully believe that he is more than an idea or a cause or a religion – he is the Risen Son who brings us into a reconciled, life-giving relationship with our God and Father.

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

(“In Christ Alone,” Keith Getty & Stuart Townend)

Your Pastor in Christ,