This is the Life!
As we conclude the season of Lent, we will witness Jesus’ brutal suffering and death. We will follow him, taking up our own crosses; dying again to ourselves. Dying to “get a life." We then will wait in the darkness and emptiness for his resurrection on Sunday morning.
Every year, this process of witnessing and waiting is difficult, agonizing. Death is painful. Yet it’s central to our story–because what follows marks the highlight of the Christian faith: Resurrection.
After all the waiting and suffering of Lent, it would be a shame to only celebrate the resurrection of Jesus for one Sunday. Instead, we’re going to join the historical church in the seven-week long party called “Eastertide.” In a worship-series/extended-celebration/new-LIFE-fest called “This is the Life: An Easter Series in First Peter,” we will experience resurrection life as we hear Peter’s inspired words written to the first Christians. These early followers of Jesus were under heavy persecution, experiencing "fiery trials,”(1 Peter 4:12); yet there could hardly be a more joyful opening to a letter:
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” (1 Peter 1:3 NIV)
Did you "get a life” during Lent? If you died to yourself and entrusted your life to Jesus, the risen one, you get THE Life! Resurrection Life! Eternal Life! Death is not the end! “Inexpressible and glorious joy!” (1 Peter 1:8). Peter is right. THIS IS THE LIFE!
Your life-losing-and-getting brother in Christ,
Matt
