I know that is a strong cliche, but it sums up my thoughts as I approach the celebration of Jesus' resurrection this coming Sunday. With all the change that human societies have undergone since Jesus walked the streets of Galilee, Samaria, and Judea, we like to think that we have outgrown the need for a Savior. And yet, the empirical evidence suggests a different take. The world remains fraught with conflict and strife, oppression and injustice, pride, prejudice and hate - the kinds of things that led to Jesus' crucifixion in the first place.
But, in addition to what we can all too readily point to as problems in societies all around the world, we can also point to the hunger for authentic, life-giving spirituality, even if those hungering for it don't necessarily want to turn to traditional religion to find it. We can also point to the many who find in Christianity a doorway to relationship with God, and not just a doorway but an escorted, Spirit-led pilgrimage to that relationship.
And like the problems of the world whose roots can be traced back into antiquity, so these phenomena also reach back into history, causing me to conclude "the more things change, the more they stay the same." We are today in as much need of good news that leads to hope and redemptive living as our forebears were centuries, even millenia, ago. It is the privilege of the church to be not just the proclaimers of this good news this weekend but its ambassadors, as well.
Join in the celebration of Jesus' resurrection somewhere this Sunday. If you don't have a church home, we at Ft. Collins First United Methodist would be honored to have you join us. Check out service times and our location at www.fcfumc.net.
The blessings of this great mystery of life and death and life again be yours,
Pastor Steve
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