Read: John 20:1-18
Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to my Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them I am returning to my father and to your father, to my God and your God. Today is the greatest day of celebration on the Christian Calendar. This is the day that Christ was raised from the tomb. So we should be glad and rejoice in it. This is the day which makes our faith so important, not just for First Church, but for the entire world. As we read the Gospel narrative about Christ’s resurrection, we should make time to re-pledge our hearts to him, re-connect our spirits to God and renew our hopes and dreams in Jesus, our risen Savior and almighty Lord. We are Easter people redeemed from our sins by Christ’s sacrifice and restored to God’s everlasting kingdom by the power of Christ’s resurrection! Christ Is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed! Hallelujah!! Hallelujah!! Rev. Dr. Yvonne Wallace-Penn Senior Pastor Read: I Peter 4:1-8
Living For God “Goodbye world I stay no longer with you. Goodbye pleasures of sin, I stay no longer with you. I have made up my mind to go God’s way the rest of my life.” (Mclurkin, D: 2000). This heartfelt composition reflects a firm resolve to turn away from worldly pleasures and embrace a life aligned with God’s path. Today’s devotional text, Peter similarly is encouraging us to be done with sin and to relinquish ourselves of evil earthly human desires but rather to live for the will of God. Peter Galilean ‘fisher -of - men reminds us that as elect believers of Christ sanctified by his holy spirit, Christians have an enormous privilege and great responsibility to walk in humble obedience towards our God and Savior Jesus Christ who shed his life blood on our behalf according to his abundant mercy and great goodness. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life are things in the world that massage the old sin nature into ungodly acts and unholy thoughts, but we are to abstain from worldly pursuits, evil desires, sensual passions and carnal cravings, which cause an internal turmoil and inner conflict with the new life we received at salvation - and which can sadly result in an unfruitful life that does not honor our God and Savior. We are pilgrims passing through a foreign world and our desire should be to follow our father’s will. May we never forget that as Christians we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, called and chosen to proclaim the praises of the one who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. We are soldiers in a spiritual battle for the souls of those that are dead in their sins, and we are to be the salt and light in a decaying and darkened world that has rejected the truth of God for a lie. Be encouraged and take to heart the writings of the ageing apostle Peter, to stay away from the pleasures of sin and who urges us to conduct ourselves as befits our heavenly father status. Let us seek only to carry out the will of our Heavenly Father- to his eternal praise and glory. God of mercy, grace and compassion, thank you for your word and wise instructions. Thank you that I am a new creation in Christ and Citizenship of a holy nation. Thank you that I am an alien and stranger in a lost and dying world. May my life be a living sacrifice that is honoring unto the Lord and tells of your goodness. In Christ Jesus name I pray. Amen Judith Tanner Certified Lay Servant Read: John 18:1-19:42
Have you ever been falsely accused or held accountable for an offense that you did not commit? Have people who you supported in the past turned a blind eye to your struggles when you sought their help? Additionally, have you ever felt compelled to exercise restraint and humility in the face of aggressive, life-imperiling attacks? These are not easy conundrums to tolerate. Yet, this is exactly the place where we find Christ in these passages. Christ is apprehended and is facing crucifixion. Understand that Christ, who had all power in his hands, could have easily dismissed his accusers. Christ could have abased his dignity and responded in a manner that was less than gracious. But Christ understood the assignment. Christ understood his assignment and the bigger picture related to his sacrifice. Just as Christ understood that the cross would be a part of his destiny, he also knew that victory would be his and that he resurrection was a part of the story. This is a comforting narrative…one that reminds us that in life, we will experience betrayal. We will be falsely accused. Friends will turn their backs on us, similar to how Peter denied Christ. But be of good cheer, because just as Christ was resurrected, our hopes…our dreams…our plans…our reputations can be restored. God has resurrection, restorative, and redemptive power in his hands, and when we are walking in his will, the victory is ours, as well. Amen! Corey Beauford Read: John 13:1-7
Years ago First Church had Rabbi Mendel Abrams from Beth Torah Synagogue come on Maundy Thursday to lead a Seder and explain what this special meal meant in the Jewish faith. This meal is celebrated during Passover. This is what Jesus and his disciples were celebrating and what has become Holy Communion for Christians. When guests came to visit and have a meal in Jesus’ day, foot washing was what polite hospitality demanded. In those times people wore sandals and walked wherever they went. Their feet were dusty and dirty from travel. Jesus took on that role for the disciples. His ministry was one of serving, not one of being served. If we are to follow in the footsteps of Christ, we must take on the same role. This washing was a sign of servanthood, serving without being asked, taking the initiative and beginning the task no matter what it is. Loving God, help us to understand what it means to serve others, to care for them and to become more Christ-like as we continue to grow in our faith. We ask this in the name of your son and our savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen. Donnalee Sanderson Read: Hebrews 12:1-3
Do It for the Joy that Is in Christ! Forty two days ago, many of us had ashes placed on our foreheads to be a reminder of our sinfulness before God and our limited lifespans, and our need for forgiveness. Every year we embrace this ritual of remembrance as a call to repentance. We recall the times that countless saints before us endured suffering for justice, mercy, and faith. “We are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses!” Our scripture today reminds us to remember our example in Jesus Christ "who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God." Merciful Father, thank you for the gift of your son Jesus who has been our great example. Bless us that we may continue, without growing weary, to fulfill the plans that you have for our lives, and to live out and share the gospel of Jesus Christ today and every day. In the almighty name of Jesus, amen. Marci Matthews |