We’ve all had those frustrating experiences in which something doesn’t make sense. It seems the more we try to figure things out, the more confusing they become. Then suddenly, something happens and it all makes sense. The confusion becomes crystal clear. We have what is called an “aha moment”.

When it comes to God things, a lot of people are confused. Just listen to all their questions. “God why did you let this happen? How can you be good when I’m feeling so bad? What in the world is your plan for my messed up life?” There were a couple of men who felt pretty much like that on the first Easter Sunday. They were walking and talking with each other, trying to figure out why Jesus had been crucified and what had happened to his body, which was not in the tomb where it was supposed to be.

In his famous incognito hike called “The Road to Emmaus”, Jesus explains to the men why the cross and empty tomb were absolutely essential to his work as the Messiah. It isn’t until they reach their destination that the light bulb goes on and these disciples understand. But the moment it did, their lives were changed forever.

How would you rate your understanding of what Jesus means in your life? Still in the dark? The clouds starting to pass? Or, are things clear as day? Regardless of where you are at, spending time with Jesus is undoubtedly the best way to clear up your doubts and answer your questions.
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Seeing and Believing

Every year “Doubting” Thomas gets raked over the coals for not accepting his fellow disciples’ account of Jesus’ resurrection appearance. But can you really blame him? Can you say you wouldn’t at least have had a small doubt that your friends were a bit discombobulated from recent events and perhaps misinterpreted what they saw?

Doubts and uncertainties are part of being human. Throughout the Bible there are examples of people who sincerely questioned God, expressed their uncertainties and then received answers in a wide variety of ways.

As we continue our Easter celebrations this Sunday, we’re going to look at both the historical and personal evidences which strongly support the resurrection. You might be surprised at how much attestation there is to confirm the angels’ announcement, “He is not here, he has risen!” The point of this study, however, is much more than to satisfy intellectual curiosity. It is, rather, to lead us all to Thomas’ beautiful reaction when he saw Jesus, “My God and my Lord!”

Join us for our online service. See Jesus through the Gospel accounts and believe.

One of the best-known quotes from the character Rocky Balboa of the “Rocky” boxing films is, “It doesn’t matter how many times you get knocked down. All that matters is how many times you get up.” In the context of the film, the application had to do specifically with boxing, but there are many ways we can apply that statement to each one of our daily lives.

No one goes through life without getting knocked down in some way. Knock downs come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. They can be failures, accidents, bad choices, other people hurting us, health issues, financial shortfalls, and the list can go on and on. Getting up after a fall can be hard. It takes courage and toughness to pick ourselves up and keep trying to succeed. After a while, the nagging question can begin to haunt us, “Is it worth it to keep getting up?” And when we can’t answer that question, we begin to lose hope.

Hope is the life changing application of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because he overcame death, we can trust that everything he said and promised is true. Which practically means, no matter how often or how hard we get knocked down, there is hope, powerful and eternal hope.

This Easter may seem like a downer since we’re isolated in our homes. But the underlying truths of what we celebrate on Resurrection Sunday aren’t restricted by geography. Jesus has risen, he has risen indeed! And that means you can have resilient hope – always, anywhere!

Our online service will be available Saturday evening.

There is just no other way to put it, the reports of what is going on are depressing. Regardless of the news source you choose, predictions for the future are dire. While it is good for us to be able to prepare for future challenges, to allow oneself to be continually bombarded with negatives can lead to despair and hysteria.

One of the purposes of making Sunday a day of worship is that it allows us to take a step back from the urgencies which dominate our lives and look at the big picture. As Christians we need to remind ourselves of what is most important. Given the current crises, it is all the more essential for us to do just that as we celebrate Palm Sunday.

You know the story well. Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey. A crowd of people pick up palm branches and shout, “Hosanna!” Palm Sunday is the happy beginning of a most dreadful week in the ministry of Jesus. For only five days later he would be crucified. And yet, there were no accidents or coincidences which caused Jesus to go from hero to scapegoat. It had all been planned out long before the events happened.

The message of Palm Sunday is pretty straightforward: Jesus claims to be our king in every sense of the word. And what a king he is, so committed to our good that he willingly allows himself to be sacrificed on a cross. The king dies for his people so that human death would be transformed into a transition rather than a finality.

Palm Sunday is the starting point of the Christian’s celebration that everything is going to work out in the end. There will be tragedy. The future is uncertain. But King Jesus tells us in no uncertain terms, the end is sure. And what an end it is!

Our online service will be available Saturday evening. Get your Palm Sunday boost!