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Listen while you read: "Christ Arose"1 (Lyrics) |
Matthew 28:5-7 – But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.' This is my message for you." (NRSV)
It was to be a very special Easter morning. We had already been to the ocean to greet the rising sun and were back in time for the early morning service followed by a congregational breakfast — a full day to be sure. But now came the Easter communion service with two congregations, one Korean and the other my congregation of St. David's, making for a packed church and amazing choirs.
Pastor Lee and I were to share the Easter message, and we had worked hard to ensure that we complemented one another. He began and shared a wonderful message on the meaning of resurrection. As I stepped into the pulpit, I made an interesting discovery: when Pastor Lee had left, he had picked up his notes — and mine!
An empty pulpit greeted me.
It was one of the most terrifying — and liberating — moments of my ministry. Unencumbered with notes and having no need for the prop of the pulpit, I was able to enter and embrace the congregation, and to express what Easter meant to me on a personal level, using the points of the text that I had just read from Matthew 28:5-7.
This is my message for you:
- Don't be afraid;
- He is risen;
- Come and see;
- Go and tell;
- He is going ahead of you;
- There you will see Him.
Easter is a personal experience with your name written large in the story: "This is my message for you."
I invite you during the Easter season to embrace the story and find the message given personally to you. There is no need to be afraid when you don't have notes or props. It is as simple as Come and see; go and tell.
A blessed Easter to one and all!
Prayer: God of resurrection, enable us to proclaim the good news that He is risen; He is going ahead of us; there we will see Him! Amen.
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Happy Easter, Kenn.
God bless you!! Thank you!!
Thank YOU!! CHRIST is risen!!
Thank you. I loved your message.
THANKS
Happy Easter!!
I am often without notes!
Thank you for the encouragement.
Oh my Kenn…that would be a shock. But I know you would have been up to it as you were.
Thank you for your simple, but so, so meaningful note this morning. HE IS RISEN INDEED!!!
Thank you, Kenn, for this inspiring message, What a sudden predicament turned out to be a blessing! Praise the LORD!
The Easter day you spoke off sounds amazing. Thank you for reminding us that Easter has a personal story for us all. Have a wonderful and blessed Easter!
Dear Kenn, What a terrifying moment you had but the Lord was truly with you and guided you with the greatest of words. Thank you for this beautiful and very mindful devotional on this very special day of the year. Blessings for writing.
A GREAT message again today! It was an aha moment as I put myself in your shoes at an empty pulpit! I have heard that Scripture both spoken and sung so often but today, it took on a deep, rich meaning personally! Thanks so much. Easter blessings to you!
Thanks Kenn, a very moving devotional, the six points say it all as it really is, simple: “Come and see; go and tell, This Is My Message For You” no need to be afraid, great prayer, repeats the Good News. May you and your family have a very peaceful, happy Easter. Blessings.
Hello Kenn
Just a note to say thank you for your thoughts this morning. So very simple yet so very true. A wonderful reminder of all that Easter brings. Blessings to you and yours. “Christ has risen.”
Happy Easter
Thanks for this message.
The simple truth has the most impact.
I shared some of this with my congregation this morning.
A timely message.
Thanks,
(SK)
Thank you, Kenn. A simple, powerful message of Easter.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. Totally empathize with the freedom of preaching “off the cuff”, scary as that can be! Blessings.
Great devotional thought this morning. Keep writing and sharing for all of us who seek a deeper walk with the Lord. A good reminder that we are to tell others about our Jesus.