The Easter resurrection story features an angel. Like all who came before and have come since, his message was one of reassurance. “Do not be afraid.” “Everything’s going to be okay.” Along with the momentary fright there is a longer, lingering feeling of JOY! We are never the same. It’s a powerful connection between heaven and earth.

The witness to the resurrection took off as if launched from a rocket pad (how about the ongoing Artemis II space mission?!) At once it was thrilling and terrifying, immediately replaced with the JOY! And peace. From two women to the disciples to all of Jerusalem and Galilee came the testimony: “Our Lord is risen!” Hundreds, then thousands in the next fifty days. Fifty days. That’s it, but so much more from the initial igniting message. The fact, the truth, could not be contained! Our faith takes care of the rest, if we are bold enough to let it.  Do not disparage anyone who tells you an incredible story of an angel encounter. God always finds powerful ways of getting our attention. He delivers amazing, sometimes unexpected answers to prayer.

Sunday afternoons and evenings are often a bit of a letdown for me. Church is over, and the oftentimes tediosity of Monday morning creeps in. The overriding peace and JOY! That is what gets me through. The reality that is the ongoing, continuous Easter event. Even as the last of our “snowbirds” are departing and church attendance will also dwindle from the 300+ we had last Sunday. The whole reason it happened on that glorious resurrection dawn was the cornerpiece of God’s perfect plan for us and our salvation. It is nothing other than an unconditional love poured out for us.

Pastor Art