On this day of celebration, I wanted to share a bit of my own recent faith journey with you. Over the past few years, I have read a number of books relating to the life of the historical Jesus and his teachings. As a scientist and mathematician, I have never related well to that which seems illogical. For me the writings of John Shelby Spong, Richard Horsley, Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, Marcus Borg, John Dominic Crossan, and Walter Wink have provided me new insight into who Jesus really was and what his mission entailed.
In my writings and teaching of these sane years, I have tried to share some of that new insight with you. It is my prayer that you found it meaningful. Now, leaving all that aside, today we celebrate the event that really defines Christianity. The Easter event is the culmination of all that has gone before. Whether you believe in a physical resurrection, or a spiritual one, you cannot deny the importance of this singular event in the history of Christianity.
The living God brought forth a new thing through the Christ event. Christ lives and reigns forever in his kingdom established here among his people. The living Christ is the hope of those who name him as their Lord.
This is truly a mystery that can only be taken on faith. We do not know what happened in that tomb so many years ago. Yet we know that Jesus' resurrection was the impetus for the creation of his church. His church has survived for two thousand years, not as a perfect institution, but as his body here on earth. The church and the people of that body find renewal in remembering how Jesus served and taught his people, died an ignoble death and rose to newness of life so that we too might live.
Last week we looked at the 22nd Psalm. The last lines of that psalm read as follows: For dominion belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. To him, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, and I shall live for him. Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord, and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn, saying that he has done it. Psalm 22:28-31. That is why we celebrate Easter.
Prayer: Hallelujah! He is risen! Loving Father, we thank you for the work that was wrought on our behalf so many years ago. May we go forth from this place with a new dedication to your kingdom. May we truly be your kingdom ambassadors in a world that knows you not. May our light shine in a dark world, and give hope to those who have no hope. Thank you Jesus. Amen.