Three stories making headlines today on my phone: for the first time in NCAA basketball tournament history, no number 1 seeds made the “Elite Eight”; Israel is a hot mess of tension; we keep experiencing extraordinary weather events. All three of these are true. At least two of these stories (maybe all three?) may arguably point to the end of the world coming soon. Here’s a news flash for you – we’ve been in the end times for over 2,000 years. Ever since Jesus came into the world, died on the cross, and rose in three days, we have been re-visiting it.

The week after this is Holy Week, sometimes referred to by church servants as “Holy Hell Week”. Three climactic, dramatic worship services that can be stressful for pastors, musicians, Altar Guild, and ushers. We observe the Passion and Resurrection of Our Lord every year not because any of us were there, but because we carry the testimony of our faith in these historical events.

We don’t need scientific experiments to prove these events happened. In fact, it would be impossible. Beyond a reasonable doubt, however, Jesus was crucified, died, was buried, and three days later, rose again. I cannot recreate the fact that I drove from home to church today. Yet here I am, in my office typing these words, and I wasn’t transported from the Starship Enterprise. The truth of stories gets us there. Four gospels and the letters of Paul testify to the presence of Christ among us. We are intelligent people with an intelligent faith. It starts out child-like but is transformed by the renewing of our mind, learning more as we go. We cannot rationalize scientifically, and our minds take us only so far in having all our questions answered. Precisely the point! The mind is certainly important, as Jesus restates the greatest commandment, “to love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind” (emphasis mine). Our heart and mind say “yes” to this assertion. This is why not only cradle Christians but life-long atheists are able to be “on board” with the greatest news story ever.

The God who loves you and me unconditionally is waiting for your free will, your assent to this life-giving, life-changing news event.

Pastor Art