The Big So-What is upon us!
It’s Easter: Christ is risen! But so what? Who cares? What does it all mean?
Have you ever thought of that? What does it mean that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead? What does that matter?
Our Lenten Journey came to a head in Holy Week, which focuses on two days: Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Most of us pay no attention to those days. They’re just a part of the trek that takes us to Easter. Yet, if we miss those days we can easily miss the point of the resurrection.
So, I would like to travel this journey with you through Holy Week to the Easter, that you might experience the power of the resurrection.
On Maundy Thursday, we remember the Last Supper. On this day, Jesus washes the feet of His disciples. Imagine that: God washing the feet of humans?!?
Yet, this is the key to love. This is the key for you and I to learn how to love. And, in this sermon I share that lesson.
Once we learn the lesson of love and the type of love Jesus requires of us, we must look to the Cross and see the suffering of the One Who first love us. This brings us to Good Friday. And yes, Good Friday is the day our Lord died on the Cross.
How crazy is that? God dies on a cross? Inconceivable!!! Yet this is exactly what happens.
How does this happen? Why does this happen? Jesus’ death on the Cross is key to understanding the forgiveness of sins He offers. Not just that He looks at your sins and says: “It’s ok.” But that the covering of sin has been removed. That might a bit confusing, so I use this message to discuss what actually happens in Jesus’ death.
Knowing what happens in the Crucifixion, the power of the resurrection becomes clearer. Jesus died for our sins. His resurrection had nothing to do with those sins. And, His resurrection was also not simply about us “being saved” and able to coast into Heaven, simply because He died and rose from the dead. His resurrection is for a different purpose altogether, enabling us to live holy lives – resurrected lives – now. I invite you to see the Risen Lord and the fullness of the power of His resurrection.
