After Easter - Mark 11:8-9

Mark 11:8-9 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

            Just like the joyful crowd on the first Palm Sunday, we had an amazing Easter worship service at church yesterday. Over 200 people attended which was one of the biggest Easter congregations that we’ve had in years. The atmosphere was wonderful, the music was beautiful, and the message was meaningful. It was a great occasion and a great blessing to our wee church. To see so many families from in and out of town, joining together in worship is something that always touches me; to have them do it at Easter makes the whole celebration so sacred and inspiring.

            The same thing was happening all over the world. People gathered together to worship and praise Jesus as their Savior and Lord. To realize that almost 2 billion people across the planet were celebrating Christ’s glorious resurrection is staggering when you think about it. If only we could fulfill that potential every week in church and every day in the world! The Earth could be healed of its brokenness and perhaps we could all live in peace. After all, Easter is a celebration of God healing sin and death with the actual resurrection of His Only Son. If we could only apply that in our relationships with other people, as well as our relations with other nations, what a dear and blessed planet this would be.

            Let’s try to apply Christ’s message by becoming Easter people to a Good Friday world. Let’s continue this blessing He has given us yesterday and take it to the people we encounter, the situations we experience, and the challenges we face this week. If we do this, then I believe we will begin to see the world around us change for the better with the goodness of God.

Point to ponder

How did Easter affect me yesterday? How can I extend its blessings this week?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we praise You for being our Savior and Lord. Just like the crowd of the first Palm Sunday, we are joyful for Your presence among us and for the hope which Easter brings. Help us to positively share these blessings with all whom we encounter this week. In Your Holy Name, we gratefully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can read the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s Easter drawings called Sacred Son Rise. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Son Rise.

Short devotions: Church Weary - Isaiah 16:12

Today’s Bible readings are Isaiah 16:6-13 and Matthew 6:16-24

Isaiah 16:12 When Moab appears at her high place, she only wears herself out; when she goes to her shrine to pray, it is to no avail.

One of the saddest events that I’ve sometimes seen over 25 years of being a pastor occurs when people give up on church. It happens in every congregation, in every community, and in every country across the world. People leave the community of faith because they are sometimes spiritually weary and burned out.

They leave for different reasons; sometimes it’s because the pastor hasn’t visited them enough or has said or done something which displeased them. Sometimes they leave because they’ve been asked to do too much or more is expected of them than they want to give. Sometimes they just drift away because life takes them on a different journey. And sometimes they leave because their faith is shallow, so they don’t have any real and substantial roots to keep them in church. Just like Moab of old, their faith is futile and their prayers are left unanswered.

Every institution goes through this sifting out of members; even Jesus faced this in His ministry. If you don’t believe me, then please read John 6:60-68 – at that time, many walked away from Christ, never to return.

I sometimes wonder what happens inside of people who have left the church when they are faced with a terminal illness, sudden disaster, or even death itself. Do they regret what they have done and seek forgiveness, or do they justify their staying away from church and hope that Christ will be merciful? This puzzles me and I guess I will never know the answer.

However, this I do know: Christ’s ministry and mission on Earth can only be accomplished by those who remain faithful and who work through the church. To be part of His work is the most important thing we can do with our lives. To support His mission through what we give of our time, talents, and money is a true act of persistent faith. Those who remain in the church, in whatever community or wherever on the planet, will experience a two-fold blessing: the knowledge that they are making a difference in the world through Christ and of knowing that they are pleasing Him too.

Prayer:           Lord Jesus, You ask us not only to be followers, but also to be servants, messengers, and disciples. This takes commitment and perseverance, constancy and faithfulness. Sometimes we get weary of the burdens and obligations that our churches place upon us. Help us to see that these responsibilities and duties are necessary to maintain Your ministry and to sustain Your mission in the world. In Your Holy Name we seek Your favor and humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message or ask a question, please send John an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org

Today’s image is one of John’s stained glass designs. It’s called ‘Lenten Prayer.’ If you would like to see a larger version of this drawing, please click on the following link: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3461/3315772938_83ceb0c3f4_b.jpg