Wednesday, March 13, 2013

A message from Pastor Bob


Jesus Christ! Alive!

While driving to church on Easter Sunday, Mom  told the children the Easter story. “This is the day we celebrate Jesus’ coming back to life,” she explained. Right away her 3-year old in the back seat piped up, “Will Jesus be in church today?”

The focus of 1st UCC is the Lord Jesus Christ. During the next 14 weeks, the church calendar reminds us of Jesus’ suffering and death through the Lenten season. Easter is the one day that churches all over the world unify to announce boldly that the crucified Christ is resurrected. For 7 weeks between Easter and Pentecost  Sundays, our minds are challenged by how the Living Christ prepares his kingdom people for the Holy  Spirit’s arrival.

Writing in Acts 1, the New Testament physician Luke provides us with information to assure our confidence of Jesus’ presence. In Acts 1:3 Dr. Luke states that “He (Jesus Christ) showed himself.” The emphasis is on the person Jesus Christ – “He…himself.”  We just cannot ignore him.

In that same verse we discover the manner in which Jesus presents himself:

                                                                         ALIVE

                                                                         APPEARING

                                                                         SPEAKING

The whole Christ for the whole Christian for the whole season of Lent…and beyond!

My prayer for you is that the coming weeks are a season where the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection become more than historical data. My hope is that you will join me is seeking Jesus with eyes of faith. Every week we enter 1st UCC’s doors that hold the saying GOD IS STILL SPEAKING. May we allow God who loves us with an infinite love to give us “ears to hear.”
 
With that love found in Christ,

Pastor Bob

No comments:

Post a Comment