April 2007 Message from the Pastor

Easter Triumph, Easter Joy!

Once again the trumpet will sound and Easter morning will dawn with fresh new expectations. Stunned disciples then and now will ponder this eternal mystery: can it be that death is not the final word?

We will let the music speak for itself as it heralds the joy of Christ’s resurrection. We will let the creation speak also as signs of new life bloom forth from dormancy. We will watch as babies and toddlers brighten our lives with hope for the future. We will marvel at the ways in which the church continues to beat the drums of vital ministry after 2000+ years of existence!

Still, with passing years we bear the scars of battle with death. Death leaves its mark on us. We continue to grieve the loss of loved ones. We always note the little deaths; the brokenness and pain of life in this troubled world. We can’t really be full of joy. Life is a mixture of light and darkness. So we may be too sober to sing too loudly or get too carried away in our worship frenzy. Christ may be risen but indeed?

So, is restrained or moderated joy really triumphant?

Can we sort of win the battle over death? Does Christ’s resurrection represent a unique event that is not universally applicable?

It remains a mystery for us how and when new life happens. Nevertheless, Paul helps us with the insight in Corinthians 15 that Christ is the “first fruit” of those who have died. In whatever ways God brings new life from death, we watch for it and marvel whenever we see it. For me, it is perhaps most visible when we are freed from fear. Whether it is a fear of death or fear of the many perils we face during life (take your pick: cancer, violence, despair, rejection, deep debt, or ______) we find in the risen Christ a new boldness and confidence. Like the earliest Christians, faith inspires confident trust that God’s life-giving love will trump every danger.

Indeed, as we will see in Thomas in the weeks to come, doubts still emerge and fears are hard to dispel. But, my friends, hold fast to faith. For Christ still appears today in wonderful and new ways and when he does, fear dissolves and joy triumphs. Please join me in worship as we sing this Easter song.

Pastor Jim Friedrich