Can't Hold On
Mary Magdalene had been through an intensely emotional few days. She had become one of the most devoted followers of Jesus during his earthly ministry. She didn’t abandon him at the cross as the remaining 11 disciples had. She witnessed his torture and death. Then she was bold enough to come back to his burial site and care for his body. She was clearly heartbroken by the radical turn of events that had taken place during those past 3 days. It must have felt like a whirlwind. Now, to make matters worse, these people who had put Jesus to death had apparently stolen his body as well! She was devastated. Her eyes were covered in tears, so it is no wonder that she mistook the risen Jesus for a gardener when he playfully asked her “Who is it you are looking for?"
It wasn’t until he spoke her name that she recognized that voice. It was a voice that must have made her soul leap and most likely in her joy she rubbed her eyes and ran to her savior. Our text doesn’t tell us that she wrapped her arms around him, but why else would Jesus’ next words be, “Do not hold on to me”? I’m guessing that she was holding on to Jesus tighter than she ever had.
But that begs the question, why does Jesus tell her that she can’t hold on to him? Isn’t that what we are supposed to do? Aren’t we supposed to “hold on to Jesus,” especially in hard times? Wouldn’t it be great to feel his warm embrace on days like these? But like Mary, we can’t hold on to him… at least not the way that we want to. The way that we would hold on to Jesus if we were in control is to make him our own. We wouldn’t share him, we would keep him to ourselves and never let go. This is why it is good that none of us are in control and Jesus is. In fact, the very reason Jesus gives, “I have not ascended to the Father,” is another way of saying, “I am going to take my seat of authority.” He’s saying that he needs to be in a place where he can lead us. I’m glad that he does that, because the next thing he does is give Mary her mission,“Go …” This is what he is saying to us. We can’t hold on, instead we must let go and then go.
Live the Story: What is it that you hold on to? What do you need to let go of today so that you can go into all that Jesus is calling you to?
By Josh Rose
Adult Ministries Pastor
The Master Gardener
God created the first garden in Eden … the first of many gardens described in the Bible. It was a beautiful shelter with trees, vines, fragrant herbs and plants with running streams; all perfect elements of his master design. He gave man a free will, and we know the result was Adam and Eve making the choice to disobey God in that perfect place he had created for them. That wasn't the end of the story, and another garden will become a pivotal moment in human history.
In John 20 we find Mary Magdalene weeping over the loss of her beloved teacher, friend and rescuer, Jesus, in the garden of the tomb. She was devastated but Jesus understood her grief. He himself wept when he heard his friend Lazarus had died. (John 11:35) He wept in overwhelming grief over Jerusalem. (Luke 19:41) He wept in the Garden of Gethsemane out of unspeakable love for man and in deep sorrow over the cost of man’s sin. (Luke 22:44) Jesus understood her grief and sorrow.
Suddenly a gentle voice says to Mary, “why are you crying and who are you looking for?” And we don’t know exactly why she didn’t recognize his voice—maybe her eyes were swollen and blurred with tears, and her grief was so all-consuming that she couldn’t see or even hear clearly. We just know that she thought her Lord was the gardener. WHAT? How could Mary, who was so close to Jesus, not recognize her teacher and best friend? Then Jesus speaks her name, “Mary” she turns to him in sudden joy, recognizes him and cries out “Rabboni!” He knows each of us by name! He knew you before you were knit together in the womb. (Psalm 139:15-16) Isaiah 43:1 says “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”
Gardeners know that if they want fruit trees or rose bushes to yield more fruit or have bigger blooms, they have to be pruned. We have to cut off the old branches and dead blooms in the right season. In the spring they will come back even stronger, yielding more fruit and the roses will have bigger blooms. In the same way God, the Master Gardener, allows seasons of pruning in our lives, like the uncertain, challenging time we’re going through now. He fully understands our feelings of sorrow, fear, and loss, but asks us to trust him through it all as he gives us comfort and strength each day and turns our sorrow into joy.
LIVE THE STORY
Ask yourself these questions today:
What am I learning about myself in this season of pruning? What am I learning about the One who calls me by name? Spend time soaking in His presence and deep love for you today as you read through John 20.
By Deb Hill
Executive Administrative Assistant
When Grief Turns to Gladness
Mary Magdalene had lived a difficult life before encountering and following Jesus. For the first time in her life, she experienced true love and kindness from a man. He did not want to use her like every other man she had encountered. Jesus was different, and, as she followed Him, she came to understand what true unconditional love meant.
When Jesus was crucified in front of her, having been scourged nearly to death, Mary was there watching, waiting in shock and disbelief. (John 19:25) She, like all of His close followers, was in deep grief and every hour after he died seemed unbearable.
But everything was about to change. Resurrection Sunday would turn her grief and sorrow into gladness in a matter of moments, as Mary realized she was speaking to the Risen Savior, face to face.
All of us have undoubtedly experienced grief following any type of loss. It may be the current loss of a loved one to the Covid-19 virus, it may be the loss of a job, or the loss of ability to be close to family and friends. This season is filled with loss, and therefore, grief.
We must recognize that grief is not meant to destroy us, it is meant to transform us. Grief is not punishment. We grieve because we love. While we recognize that loss is part of our lives, we also know that we are not meant to live stuck in our grief. Isaiah 53:3 tells us that Jesus was a man who was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Jesus was acquainted with grief, he did not live in it. Yes, we will grieve, but our grief is designed to transform us, as it did with Mary Magdalene.
LIVE THE STORY
If you are currently grieving, please take time to bring your emotions before the Lord. Ask Him to bring to you His perspective and His peace. He is faithful.
By Chip Whitman
Pastor of Care and Counseling
A NEW Thing
This past weekend we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ; life where it wasn’t expected, victory over death, a NEW thing. Jesus’ resurrection was not the end of the story, but the beginning!
A month ago, when we all started facing the reality of the coronavirus, God brought me to Isaiah 43; specifically verses 18-19: “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” The Lord was telling the children of Israel that he would indeed free them from Babylon, but if they stayed focused on their captivity, they would not experience the freedom of this new thing.
Could it be that through this time of quarantine, God is doing a NEW thing? In verses 16 and 17, God reminds the Israelites of how he has rescued them before by recalling his faithfulness; and yet, what is being emphasized is that we can’t dwell on the past if we want to have eyes for the future. I love how The Voice expresses verses 18-19: “Don’t revel only in the past, or spend all your time recounting the victories of days gone by. Watch closely: I am preparing something new; it’s happening now, even as I speak.” It is impossible to see where God is leading if we are always looking back; past victories can’t free us in the future.
I don’t know about you, but sometimes the idea of trusting God with a “new thing” is scary or daunting; especially if you like being in control. Questions may arise such as, “Is this safe? Am I worthy? Will my needs be met?” The beauty of this passage comes from the fact that God has already established his children’s identity. Earlier in verses 1-5, the Lord says, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you … Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you … Fear not, I am with you.”
We can have confidence in our Father’s promise of doing a NEW thing because we know who we are and whose we are. Our identity is secure, we are loved by God Almighty, and BEHOLD, He is doing a NEW thing!
LIVE THE STORY
Find a quiet place and have a conversation with your Heavenly Father, your Abba. Who does God say you are? Considering your identity as his child; precious in his sight, to what “new thing” could he be calling you? Watch closely … can you see it?
By Lynette Fuson
Women’s Ministry Director
It Is Finished
Being a good procrastinator is a great blessing. There’s nothing quite like getting an A on a test you crammed for the night before, throwing together an A+ project within hours of the deadline, or crushing a public speech you winged. But being a good procrastinator is likewise a great curse. Late nights, terrible stress, and the perpetual condition of kicking myself all add up to a high stakes and high stress lifestyle capable of turning gray even the most virile.
Oddly enough, it was always my perfectionism that led me to procrastinate. Nothing was quite good enough for me to commit to -- because as soon as I committed to it, I would get discouraged and leave it to my future self to pick up the pieces.
Perfectionism is impossible for any man - save but one -- to achieve. And it’s harder than impossible for us to attain perfection consistently. But from the very moment Jesus entered the world he “was tempted in every way … yet was without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)
Whereas I struggled to mow my father’s lawn as a high schooler, Jesus couldn’t bear to be anywhere but His Father’s house! (Luke 2:48-49) Responsibility generated an allergic reaction in me, but to Him -- His Father’s will was His “food” (John 4:34). His work was and forever will be the only thing worth bragging about (Galatians 6:14).
Such was the tremendous burden placed upon the shoulders of our Savior; if creating the world wasn’t enough, (Colossians 1:16) He also had to contend with the worst it could throw at him (John 16:33) and manage to save it from itself (John 3:16-17).
This gargantuan burden caused Him, the very picture of perfection (Col. 1:15), to sweat beads of blood and beg for it to pass to another. But it was not as if he had only to manage one moment of perfection. The massive task of salvation required a lifetime of sinlessness (2 Cor. 5:21)! Even with a perfect track record behind him -- the thought of the cross made Jesus beg for mercy.
Imagine the tremendous relief, then, when he finally took his last breath and belted in a proclamation of triumphant defiance against the demonic hordes, “It is finished!” (John 19:30)
Nothing can diminish his perfect accomplishment. He’s run the race. He’s given us the perfect path to the Father. His finished work is staked in history as much as it is staked in Him. And now by this one perfect sacrifice all of us are made holy (Hebrews 10:14) - that by the mere belief in his perfect, divine act we are all attributed this same victory. (Romans 10:4)
The end for Him marked a new beginning for you and for me - all to the praise of His glorious grace! (Ephesians 1:6)
LIVE THE STORY
Read Matthew 26:36-44. Imagine you’re one of the disciples having a hard time staying awake. Then, read Matthew 27:32-44 and imagine you’re one of the disciples watching your perfect Teacher and friend being crucified -- knowing that he’s there taking your place. Have a prayerful reflection time with the Lord regarding these scenes and what reactions you have to it.
By Ryan Lunde
Pastor of Young Adults
The Victor
There are many good movies about the life of Christ. One of my favorites is the 2004 film The Passion of the Christ. My favorite scene is the last few seconds of the film, where the viewer simply sees the nail-scarred foot of the Savior walking out of the tomb. Although many of the final scenes of the movie are quite difficult to watch due to its realism, it lets the viewer know just how much our Lord suffered on our behalf. These graphic scenes based on the scriptural narrative of Christ’s suffering leave little to one’s imagination.
But that is why the very last scene brought me such hope. Luke writes it this way:
“On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were puzzling over this, suddenly two men in radiant apparel stood beside them. As the women bowed their faces to the ground in terror, the two men asked them, why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He is risen! Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee: The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.”
The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is in fact the verification from our Heavenly Father that Christ’s sinless sacrifice on the cross served to pay our debt of sin in full for all time! When Jesus cried and declared from the cross, it is finished, he was stating that the payment was made for our sin. There never needs to be another sacrifice for sin. The resurrection is the seal of approval for this great demonstration of unconditional love and sacrifice.
The Christian church celebrates two great holidays on our calendar: Christmas and Easter. Christmas, in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, opens the door of possibility of a sinless Savior to become the sacrifice for our sin. He was born to die for us. Having accomplished living a sinless
life, Jesus went to the cross to die on our behalf. The resurrection is the stamp of approval that His sacrifice was received and validated. To this we can only say, “Hallelujah, what a Savior!”
LIVE THE STORY
Take time to thank God for being your savior. What does his salvation mean to you personally? How can you continue to live the story of Christ’s resurrection?
Chip Whitman
Pastor of Care & Counseling
The Ache Is In The Waiting
Wondering. Wishing. Wanting.
Waiting pulls on our hearts, twists our stomach and knots our necks.
What have you been waiting for lately? Dreading a scary health diagnosis? Wishing for a new opportunity, but worried it’s not coming? Terrified that every phone call might bring bad news?
Imagine Jesus’ disciples the day after he hung on a cross. They didn’t have the luxury of knowing what we know, what we celebrate. They were grieving and heartbroken. Agonizing. No doubt the “if onlys” plagued their minds. If only they had noticed what Judas was up to. If only they had stood up for Jesus during the trial. If only they were braver. If only Peter hadn’t denied him three times. If only.
Did the “if only” move into “now what”? With hearts full of grief and agony, did they begin to question their next steps? Should they go back to fishing? Would Zacchaeus and the Woman at the Well return to their sinful lives now that Jesus was gone? Would life go back to “normal”? But ... what was normal?
Wondering. Wishing. Wanting. Waiting. Their heartache was palpable.
And what about the women who followed Christ? Devastated and heartbroken, they kept vigil while he hung on the cross. Despite the agonizing pain of grief, they resolutely remained to witness their beloved’s lifeless body be taken off the cross and wrapped in linen. They followed as he was laid to rest in a tomb. But as sundown came, they were faithful to obey the command of the Sabbath.
Luke 23:54-56 (ESV) says, It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
Imagine. Even in their grief they followed the Lord’s command to rest. Wondering. Wishing. Wanting. Waiting. And hoping.
They didn’t know Christ’s redemptive promise would be fulfilled the very next day. They didn’t know, yet they trusted. They held on tight to hope. And that hope did not disappoint.
LIVE THE STORY
Discuss with your family or friends how you might have felt the day after the horrific crucifixion and before Christ defeated Satan and rose from the dead.
Have you ever wondered where Jesus was the day between Good Friday and Easter?
Click here to watch Pastor Ryan Paulson’s previous message on this topic.
By Cyndie de Neve
Senior Creative Director
Why Good?
Have you ever wondered why we call today Good Friday? Why is it good? It most definitely was not a good day for Jesus. It was a day that he dreaded. It was a day that he pleaded with God, his Father, to avoid. However, at the same time, it was something that he endured for the joy set before him (Hebrews 12:2). The joy must not have been in the experience on the cross, but in the knowledge of what the cross would accomplish for the people Jesus loved ... us ... them ... the world. And since the cross did accomplish our salvation, this means that from our vantage point, the Friday on which Christ died was a very good day. In fact, I have heard some people call this day, “Good-for-us Friday.” However, I can’t help feeling like it is a little too self- absorbed to celebrate Jesus’ pain and suffering because of what it does for me.
To emphasize Easter, I have heard it said that we call Good Friday good because of the resurrection. Of course, the resurrection is good as well, but that line of thinking implies that the first Good Friday was bad until Sunday rolled around. However, when we celebrate Good Friday, we seem to be saying something else.
In his book about the crucifixion entitled, “The Day the Revolution Began,” N.T. Wright suggests that “by 6:00pm on that first Good Friday, the world was a different place.” In other words, Jesus’ death on the cross changed everything. This means that today is good because we celebrate God’s victory! It is good because it is the day in which God’s love was most revealed to us. 1 John 4:10 says, this is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. And since “God is love” (1 John 4:8 & 16), that means that this was also the day in which God Himself was most fully made known to us. Wait a minute ... did you catch that? God was most fully made known on the cross of Good Friday. That means that you can’t find a more complete picture of God than Jesus suffering and dying on the cross! Wow! This is our God. This is how much he loves us.
LIVE THE STORY
Today, take a moment to pause and thank God for the victory of the cross, remembering that it is a victory of the power of love. Ask God to allow the power of his love to overcome all the struggles of your life. Celebrate God’s overwhelming love today! It is a Good day!
By Josh Rose
Pastor of Adults Ministry
By This Everyone Will Know
The time was short. Jesus knew that the time for him to lay down his life, to be crucified and to bear the weight of our sin was fast approaching. Soon he would be returning to the Father, but there were things he still wanted the disciples to understand. And so he showed them by kneeling and washing their feet. He who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant. (Philippians 2:6-7, ESV)
Foot washing in those days was a humble task, reserved for servants or those of a lower status. Although only Peter spoke up to object, surely the others felt the same. How could he, their Rabbi, their Lord, humble himself this way? Yet Jesus removed his outer garment, knelt before the twelve men, including the one who was about to betray him, and washed their feet like a lowly servant. Then he asked them, do you understand what I have done to you? Do we understand the upside-down way that he is calling us to live in this world? Do we understand that to truly love one another we must be willing to empty ourselves of “self” and live “given” for the sake of the other?
After the betrayer, Judas, went into the night, Jesus gave his disciples a new commandment:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35, ESV)
In washing the disciple’s feet, Jesus gave them — and us — an example of what this kind of love looks like. It looks like humility. It looks like servanthood.
LIVE THE STORY
The invitation today is for you to consider who you might reach out to with this kind of Christ-emulating love? Take time to reflect on your relationships with other believers. In what ways does your love for them show, or not show, a watching world that you are one of Jesus’ disciples?
By Nicole Jiles
Children’s Ministry Director
Rest
While Scripture reveals the events that transpired throughout most of Holy Week, it is not explicitly clear about what happened on Wednesday. Most scholars refer to Wednesday as a day of rest. Jesus may have spent time with his friends in Bethany. He may have helped them prepare for the Passover meal. Regardless, he likely spent time in the presence of his Abba, in holy rest.
How do you feel about rest? In our American culture, rest is often viewed as lazy or lacking productivity. Why do we resist rest? Is it an attempt to win God’s favor by continuing to “do” for him? Interestingly, our Savior decided to rest on a day that would lead up to the most agonizing day of his life here on earth. This required trust. He knew that his Heavenly Father was in control. He knew that God’s will would be done. So, he rested.
Christians around the world have spent the last 40 days observing Lent. Lent is an invitation to examine the depths of our souls, prepare our hearts before God, reflect on Christ’s death on the cross, and anticipate his glorious resurrection. Much of this happens in the context of rest. We quiet our souls, put our hope in God alone and cease striving. When we embrace a posture of rest, we are acknowledging who we are, who God is, and the hope of our restored relationship with him.
The word rest is used multiple times throughout Scripture. God rested after his work in Genesis. God told the people of Israel that he would give them rest. Sabbath rest was commanded throughout the Old Testament. Job longed for rest. David cried out for rest throughout the Psalms. As Psalm 62:1 says, Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Jesus modeled rest as he took time to be alone with God. And my favorite, Matthew 11:28-29, Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Have you ever noticed that the word “rest” lies within the word “restore”? One definition of restore says, “to put something back into existence or use.” Through rest, God restores, brings us back to abundant life, full of joy and anticipation.
LIVE THE STORY
What would it practically look like for you to rest? Psalm 46:10 says, be still and know that I am God. I don’t think the psalmist is telling us to literally not move, but to still our minds and be present with our Abba. Rest can look different for everyone, but it brings us back to these questions: Do you trust him? Are you anticipating a restored life? Is your hope in God alone? Today, take time to rest.
By Lynette Fuson
Women’s Ministry Director