(Each Saturday, a faith leader in Franklin County offers a personal perspective in this space. To become part of this series, email religion@recorder.com)
Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter: A few weeks ago Christians worldwide attended many church services. It was a special holy week to reflect on who Jesus is, why He came, and what it means to follow Him. A time for us to reaffirm our faith in His resurrection from the dead — the cornerstone of our faith and hope. Jesus’ resurrection is the crowning proof of His claim to be Lord and Christ, the Savior of all who believe. Christians say, “Yes, Lord, I believe.”
Some of these Easter services were big productions that involved hours of planning and promotion and practice. Don’t misunderstand me — if Jesus is who He claimed to be (and I believe He is) then certainly the significance of the incarnation of God, His sinless life, His atoning death, His resurrection, and His promise to come again are all worth commemorating in a big way. “Of first importance” is how the Apostle Paul described the priority of hearing and holding on to the gospel message that Jesus’ died for our sins and rose from the dead.
Paul said, “Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)
Nothing is bigger than the gospel. I need to remember this.
But I find I also need to be reminded that as a follower of Jesus, I am called to live out the bigness of what I believe through small, ordinary acts of love. Yes, the pageantry of all the Holy Week services helps me recognize that I am connected to something (to Someone) that transcends this material world. I need this time of reflection. However, I also need to come back to earth and remember that the special Easter Sunday Services are followed by my ordinary Monday service; a service that I participate in, not by filling a seat in a pew, but by girding myself with a towel.
Christian friends, do not lose sight of the glorious fact that Monday will be a holy day, too — as we step onto the stage of the grandest Easter service of all, and prove by the way WE live that Jesus really did rise from the dead; that His kingdom is a kingdom worth entering, worth hungering for.
Jesus said, “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet.
“I have given you an example to follow.
“Do as I have done to you.” (John 13:35, 12-15)
The Community Bible Church currently meets at Camp Northfield, 96 Wanamaker Road (Route 10) in Northfield. Our Sunday morning service is at 10:30 a.m. We also own and maintain as a park the property at 24 Main St. in Northfield for church and community use. This summer, we plan to use this beautiful space for a number of events including outdoor church services, youth activities, and a community tag sale. Community Bible Church is committed to the teaching of the Bible, the proclamation of the gospel, and the Lordship of Jesus Christ who calls us to follow Him through deeds of service and love.
Our website is cbcnorthfield.com. Listen to church sermons at sermonaudio.com.cbcnorthfield
rwemberley@gmail.com
413-498-4404