Read the Lectionary Text The Bible invites us to linger here at Easter. To pause, and take some time. To take a broad look at the resurrection experience of the young Christian church. I find it interesting that there is not just one Easter story in the Gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all have their own way of telling it. This is because there was not just one encounter between the disciples and the risen Christ, but rather, there were many. Dozens. Perhaps hundreds. In the book of Acts, Luke writes, “After his suffering, (Jesus) presented himself alive to [READ MORE]

Read the Easter Text   They had done everything they could. Do you remember how these disciples of Jesus had arranged the parade last Sunday? Throwing their cloaks on the ground and waving palm branches in the air, they had shouted, “Hosanna!” as Jesus came to Jerusalem. They hoped Jesus was a king like David who would mount an insurrection against the occupying Roman army and so set the nation free! That never happened, of course. But at least they had done everything they could. Peter had stuck with Jesus right up until the Romans arrested the Lord. He [READ MORE]