He is risen indeed!

I hope everyone has had a wonderful Easter! I've decided to go ahead and post on our Easter service today, since it was such a beautiful celebration of our Saviour's love for us. Today the sermon was on John 20:1-18; the passage focused in on the viewpoint of Mary Magdalene, the first witness of Easter.

Our pastor started with an interesting analogy. Pigeons walk the way the do because they cannot focus their vision while moving, so they must stop, readjust, then move again. We, like pigeons, get so caught up in our little worlds that we must stop to refocus ourselves. The cross and resurrection is the truth in which we must fix our gaze.

Next, he discussed John's account of the resurrection. Many have argued that the gospels have been fabricated; that the entirety of Christianity is just a myth conjured up by Jesus' followers. The pastor pointed out that John's account makes this seem very unlikely. Mary was a woman, therefore a second-class citizen in the ancient world. Women couldn't even testify in a court of law during that time. Someone fabricating a story would most certainly use a man as the first witness to the Resurrection. Second, Mary was formerly demon-possessed. And lastly, she was from Magdala, a town with a notorious reputation in the Jewish community. All of these things would make her a horrible choice to be the first witness in a fable. It would not give a false story any credibility. John writes from the viewpoint of Mary of Magdala, because it is the truth.

Our faith is based on actual truth, not on whatever viewpoint works for you. Jesus made the radical statement: "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through me." Jesus' death and resurrection is the truth that sets us free. Without our Saviour's act of grace, we would be ensnared in our sin.

Call to Worship from 1 Corinthians 15

Minister: Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?
People: The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
(with great voice) But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
Minister: Christ is risen!
People: (Louder still) He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

If you have a Sunday Pondering, leave a link here!