Speaker: The Rev. Nathan Stomberg

What are you most passionate about? If someone were to ask you about yourself, with what would you identify? Would it be the Church of Jesus Christ? Or is it some other organization or identity group which lays claim to your passions and desires? Everyone we meet falls into one of two categories - with Christ, or without Christ. May God fan that flame to burn within our hearts and stir us on to love our neighbor by sharing the Gospel!

God’s ultimate will is not for our earthly well-being, but for our eternal well-being. The Lord is not building for us a mansion here on earth, but a temple for us to enter in that heavenly City. As we grow in salvation - through searching the Scriptures, through desiring the spiritual milk of God’s word, and asking for help in Jesus’ name - our desires will inevitably look more like God’s desires; our joy will multiply; and we will steadfastly endure any trials as we follow in the steps of His Son Jesus Christ.

Who doesn’t want the abundant life? Know that this is what Jesus offers us in the breaking of bread and the prayers. May God grant that when we hear His Son’s voice, calling us each by name, that we may know him, and follow where he leads.

Today is not ultimately about Thomas, it is about all of us. Thomas is the one who reminds us that the eyes of faith are far superior to the eyes of sight. The trials we face today are many. The doubts that we have are many. But Jesus comes to meet us in the middle of it all. May we always possess the eyes of faith to view our trials through the lens of the Resurrection.

Today is not ultimately about Thomas, it is about all of us. Thomas is the one who reminds us that the eyes of faith are far superior to the eyes of sight. The trials we face today are many. The doubts that we have are many. But Jesus comes to meet us in the middle of it all. May we always possess the eyes of faith to view our trials through the lens of the Resurrection.

God wants to gather us in His arms and quiet our crying – wiping away every tear from our eyes; he is not reluctant to save us, but eager and joyful to do so!

Jesus’ final words were: “It is finished.” What was finished, then? It was his Father’s work, to lay down his life, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. It is finished. Christ died for you. Christ died for me. May we ponder those words in our hearts as we enter the glory of Easter.

This greatest and most important spectacle - the celebration of Holy Week, culminating in the glory of Easter, portrays all that was, all that is, and all that is to be in the drama of our salvation.

If Jesus is not the resurrection and the life, then Christianity is meaningless, foolish, and inconsequential. But if Jesus is who he says he is, then your answer to this question is of eternal importance. Not only that, but if we don’t answer this question with full, blessed assurance, then Holy Week next week will be robbed of any real meaning for us.