In this strange time, what if we are to view Easter not, as the end of the season of Lent – where we can now do all the things that we gave up— or as ONE DAY of celebration? But, as Easter is meant to be received…

As a doorway to new life.

A new beginning.

The old is gone; the new has come.

Will you walk through the doorway of Easter and believe that there is a different way of living every day because Jesus is the Resurrected Lord?
What does the empty tomb mean for you?
Will you allow the strangeness of this Easter, break open a new worldview for you?

EASTER is not dependent upon what we DO to celebrate; EASTER is about WHO IS RISEN and WHO WE ARE because of our RISEN LORD, no matter how we are able to celebrate.

EASTER is the beginning of a new season of LIFE
And, it is a disruption of the status quo.

NT Wright says “Who, after all, is it who didn’t want the dead to be raised?
Not simply the intellectually timid or the rationalists…It was, and is, those in power, the social and intellectual tyrants and bullies; the Caesars who would be threatened by a Lord of the world who had defeated the tyrant’s last weapon, death itself… This is the point where believing in the resurrection of Jesus suddenly ceases to be a matter of inquiring about an odd event in the first century – and becomes a matter of rediscovering hope in the 21st century. Hope is what you get you when you suddenly realize that a different worldview is possible, a world view in which the rich, the powerful, and the unscrupulous do not, after all, have the last word. The same worldview shift that is demanded by the resurrection of Jesus is the shift that will enable us to transform the world.” (through the power of Jesus Christ)

We invite you to walk into this Easter season with three Ps.

PAUSE. Spend time at the empty tomb with the women who discovered a Lord who did not need their spices. A Lord who gave them new purpose as witnesses of NEW LIFE.

In this unusual time, BE at home with Jesus, like Peter, who left an empty tomb -amazed. What does it mean for you to take time at home and be amazed that death could not hold Jesus? Jesus is alive, just as he said.

Rejoice, celebrate, give thanks. Reflect on the Jesus -- our Living Lord’s words for you, “be at peace”, “you are my beloved”, “love one another as I have loved you.”

PRAY – TALK WITH JESUS TODAY. You are not alone. Just as the women and disciples conversed with Jesus, their Risen Lord, we too can converse with Jesus because He is with us. In your time of being separated from others through quarantine, embrace the presence of Jesus with you. Share your fears, pain, struggles, hopes and desires. Listen to what Jesus, your Lord desires to tell you about His love for you and his desire for you to trust that your unique gifts are needed for people to flourish in his Kingdom of peace and reconciliation.

PRACTICE RESURRECTION* – HOW WILL YOU LIVE THIS WEEK BECAUSE THE TOMB IS EMPTY?

Jesus Christ – is the sign that new creation has begun. How do you want to be changed by resurrection?

Peter went home. But, he does not stay at home, of course. He tried to go back to his old way of life until he realized that his encounter with the living Lord changed him forever and he became a witness of Jesus’ grace and power throughout all his living days.

Many people wonder how we will be changed by Covid-19.

Let’s ask a different question: How does the good news of resurrection change how I respond to Covid-19?

Will we be willing to recognize places we settled and compromised? Will we even more seek justice for the welfare of others trapped in systems? Will we name racism for what it is? Evil.

Because of this pandemic…

Will we live in more fear?

Will we treat people with suspicion?

Will we try to go back to your old life as if nothing is different?

OR will we be willing to be Spirit-led people who say – we’ve learned from this and we trust a new way. In a time of uncertainty, Jesus is still our Risen Lord. Where is Jesus Christ inviting you into new life even NOW?

Resurrection is not a fairly tale or hollow promise but a reality around which we that we can shape our lives

Today begin a new season –walk through the doorway of new life.

Pause Pray Practice Resurrection

*From last line of Wendell Berry’s poem, Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front

**N.T. Wright, Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church