Today really is Good Friday. It is on this day that we remember the passion and death of our Savior. We count this day as “good” because of what Christ does on our behalf. Our debt is paid; our sin forgiven; grace is now the rule of life.

But we are much like the disciples who came to the tomb on that first Easter morning. They had been first-hand witnesses of Jesus’s teaching and miracles. They had heard his promise that He would be raised from the dead. Nevertheless, when they came to the tomb that first Easter, they were expecting death. They were not expecting Jesus to be alive. And we are much the same way. As we approach the difficulties of life, we assume we know what the outcome is going to be. We often assume that what is broken and dead will just stay broken and dead. But the God who raised Christ Jesus from the dead on Easter is the same God who is working in our own lives today. The resurrection of Jesus is the proof that He will make a way even when we think there is no way.

It is the risen Christ that makes all the difference. The hope that comes in the resurrection of Christ is not just any hope. It is a hope that has defeated sin, death, and evil. As Paul writes in Romans 8:31-32: “So what are we going to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He didn’t spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. Won’t he also freely give us all things with him?” And also in Romans 8:37-39: “But in all these things we win a sweeping victory through the one who loved us. I’m convinced that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus our Lord: not death or life, not angels or rulers, not present things or future things, not powers or height or depth, or any other thing that is created.”

Take a few minutes and read again the events of the first Easter morning in John 20:1-18. this will be our scripture focus for Easter Sunday this year. The bottom line for my sermon is: “Christ is risen and the worst is never the last.” Even in the worst moments, there is still hope because Christ is alive. And because Christ is alive, the worst thing is never going to be the last thing.

Today at noon in the city park we are hosting a Good Friday worship. We will be reading the seven last words of Jesus spoken from the cross. Easter Sunrise service is this Sunday morning at 6:30. And our Easter celebration worship is this Sunday morning at 10:00. I hope you can join us in person or online.

You are loved and there is hope in the crucified and risen Christ. may you live in that love and hope always and in all ways!

In the love and hope of our Savior,
Rev. J. Eric Pridmore, Ph.D.

There was a particular custom in the first century Roman Empire among the early Christians. They would put wreaths made of laurel on the graves of their deceased family and friends. Laurel wreaths had been used to crown the victors of athletic contests. They would take those laurel wreaths and place them on the graves to symbolize their belief that through Jesus Christ death has been defeated. As we look to Easter, we also affirm our conviction that sin and death have been defeated. Sin and death hold no power over us. Our power is in Jesus who has been raised from the dead. 

The disciples came to Jesus’s tomb while it was still dark. The darkness was both a literal reality as well as a spiritual state for these disciples. But the darkness was soon overcome with light. As the sun began to rise, they realized that the Son had risen. Easter promises us that in the midst of our deepest darkness the Son rises to overwhelm the darkness forever. At Easter we can boldly proclaim “Christ is risen!” And this is our affirmation of faith that through Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit the darkness will never overwhelm us. 

This short little poem by an unknown author says it best:

“The tomb could hold Him no longer.

Death is strong, but life is stronger.

Stronger than the dark, the light.

Stronger than the wrong, the right.

Faith and hope, triumphant say,

‘Christ arose that Resurrection day!’”

I hope you will take the opportunity to join us for Holy Week services this week. I especially hope you will join your brothers and sisters in person or online for Easter worship on Sunday, April 4 at 10:00 in the sanctuary. The passion, death, and resurrection of Christ is the defining event of our life. Because Christ Jesus is risen from the dead we have new life.

I love this congregation and it is my honor to serve as your pastor. Please let me know how I can be in prayer for you or of service to you — especially right now during these times. I thank God for all of you and pray that the light of God in Christ Jesus our Lord will shine in your life so that you may know the love and hope of God. 

In the light and love of Christ,

Rev. Eric Pridmore