April 27 2025 —

If Jesus remained dead, all He would provide is an example of a beautiful life. Therefore, if Jesus remained dead, the mission of His followers would simply be to share advice. “Here is how Jesus would want us to love one another. Or “Jesus would want us to think about money like this.” Or “This is how Jesus would pray.” But because He lives, His followers now have a meaningful mission. It is not to share advice, but to testify to what we have seen and know to be true. Christ has risen! Thus, Jesus is not a standard, but our Savior. Jesus is not primarily an example for this life, but the doorway into eternal life. His resurrection to glory will be the resurrection of all who put their faith in him. Sharing that good news—that’s our mission.

In our first reading we see the apostles were not going to let opposition and persecution prevent them from fulfilling their meaningful mission of telling others about Christ’s death and resurrection. In our reading from Revelation, our sermon text, we hear the risen Savior promise to be with His churches as they carry out the meaningful mission of sharing the light of the gospel.  And in our Gospel Jesus lovingly deals with our doubts and provides us with peace so that we might be empowered to carry out the meaningful mission of sharing Christ’s forgiveness.