Many years ago, we were described as Easter people. It was one of those new catch phrases to come out of Vatican II and it remains a beautiful and valid expression about the core of our faith.

The Resurrection is the focal point of faith for every Christian denomination around the world. It is a powerful reminder of the unconditional love that God has for each one of us. As Easter people, we are responsible for continuing the saving work that Jesus initiated two thousand years ago.

The celebration of Easter, and all of our religious festivals throughout the year, while they are important, pale in significance to the daily saving work for which each of us is responsible. While we truly enjoy the festive nature of our feasts, the greatest work we do as Disciples of Christ is no less important and it is the work of everyday life in keeping with our discipleship.

It is my hope that Easter will be a glorious and faith filled celebration for us all, that it will also be a potent reminder, as is every Sunday, that our true nature is the lived experience of our Christian faith each and every day.

May God bless you and your family on this beautiful Easter day and may the work of the Lord be shared and lived in the vineyard of your lives.

Jesus’ Passover meal with His disciples is coming. However, this is Palm Sunday, the public event where Jesus enters Jerusalem riding a donkey. How humble of the Lord to be riding on a donkey while a multitude of disciples call out to Him, praising Him as the Messiah. Tragically, some of those same people will be crying out for His crucifixion next week.

Wow, how quickly they turn! Where is their loyalty? Where is their faith? Where is their heart at? I couldn’t imagine turning my back on Christ! Could you?? I would have rooted for Him, shouted to save Him and followed Him anywhere!

Easy for us to judge those from 2000 years ago knowing what we know. Perhaps, they themselves were scared seeing Jesus look so weak and vulnerable against the Roman soldiers. Perhaps they were afraid that that could be them.

But what about today, 2000 years later? Where do we see ourselves? Are we really so different from them? How quickly does our faith falter when God does not deliver what we ask of Him? How quickly do we quiet when we realize we may be different than others in our beliefs?

So many emotions to feel and so many decisions to make. I may have jumped ahead a little knowing what is to come. But it is hard not to talk about all the ups and downs of the coming week. I do know one thing, even in the midst of everything, God is at work for good.

Jesus’ Passover meal with His disciples is coming. However, this is Palm Sunday, the public event where Jesus enters Jerusalem riding a donkey. How humble of the Lord to be riding on a donkey while a multitude of disciples call out to Him, praising Him as the Messiah. Tragically, some of those same people will be crying out for His crucifixion next week.

Wow, how quickly they turn! Where is their loyalty? Where is their faith? Where is their heart at? I couldn’t imagine turning my back on Christ! Could you?? I would have rooted for Him, shouted to save Him and followed Him anywhere!

Easy for us to judge those from 2000 years ago knowing what we know. Perhaps, they themselves were scared seeing Jesus look so weak and vulnerable against the Roman soldiers. Perhaps they were afraid that that could be them.

But what about today, 2000 years later? Where do we see ourselves? Are we really so different from them? How quickly does our faith falter when God does not deliver what we ask of Him? How quickly do we quiet when we realize we may be different than others in our beliefs?

So many emotions to feel and so many decisions to make. I may have jumped ahead a little knowing what is to come. But it is hard not to talk about all the ups and downs of the coming week. I do know one thing, even in the midst of everything, God is at work for good.