Hey Church,

Holy Week is here (how is it almost April?!) and as I’ve been reflecting on this season, I’ve been captivated by the scale of the story of God is writing in the world. Since Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, God has been working to bring people back into right relationship with him. And he has gone to some pretty extreme lengths (at least in my human estimation) to bring about his purposes. He has parted seas and raised up nations, brought down giants and spoken through the mouth of a donkey, he has closed the mouths of lions and caused nations to fall. Each of these stories demonstrates the power, strength, and might of the Lord. Though He used these things to write the story of salvation, it was ultimately through humility, love, and sacrifice that He gave us the ability to be in right relationship with Him.

This week we celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Who, though he was in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. Instead, he emptied himself, taking on flesh. Flesh that would be beaten, bruised, and pierced so that through His wounds we may be healed. This story is vast, but it’s not done. As we celebrate all that Jesus has done for us, let us also remember that the story is still being written and we have the honor and joy of being part of that story.

Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom of Heaven, and as His ambassadors here on earth we have the opportunity to join with him in advancing it. Any time we go out of our way to serve someone outside the church, remind each other of the truths of the Gospel, or share our lives, time, and possessions with a brother or sister in Christ, we are bringing the Kingdom of Heaven more fully to earth and participating in His story. It is certainly good to celebrate the story of Easter, but let us not forget the bigger story that is still unfolding and the part we have to play in it.

Steveie, on Behalf of the Elder and Minister Team