Topic: Easter

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!

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.

When we live like the rest of the world around us, it is because our idea of ministry is too small, our heaven is too small, and our Christ is too small. Indeed, without the Ascension there is no reason to rejoice at all. But thanks be to God, that is not the case. Let us go forth with great joy, just as the disciples did, for our savior Jesus Christ has ascended into heaven, and he will return in the same way as he departed.

We who enjoy the luxuries of 21st century America are the unmatched champions of vain things! Our lives are so dedicated to vain things, trivial things, pointless things, that we go out of our way to celebrate vanity itself! The Gospel calls us away from vain things just as it did the pagans at Lystra. But are we willing to turn away from vain things?