As I have moved through the days and weeks leading up to Easter, I have been struck by how unsettled this time has been. Maybe Lent is always intense, but this year has seemed particularly challenging.

They say the pandemic is ending, but infections are increasing again. The war in Ukraine is on everyone’s hearts as we pray for peace and pray against civilian casualties and massive destruction. In the Black Mountain area, there were three suicides in one week back in March.

Despair and depression seem to be everywhere this year.

Hope of the Resurrection

The good news that comes to us in this hard season is that we are Easter people, the people of Jesus’ resurrection and life.

We have been given the good news to proclaim to the world that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead; that he died for our sins and was raised so that we might know his Father and have eternal life.

This is the good news that our world needs to hear right now.

Peace to Be Received

Jesus’ first words to his disciples were words of peace.

He is the Prince of Peace.

We have received his peace and have been entrusted with the message of peace which the world needs to hear.

Jesus sent his Holy Spirit to empower his disciples to be his witnesses in a hostile world. He sends his Spirit to us today and will empower us to do the same things that he did while walking the earth.

Jesus has given us a message of peace and hope, Jesus empowers us to share this with a hurting world.
 
I pray you know the peace of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit as you walk with the Lord through this Easter season.

And may the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7