The Holiest of Holy Days

This weekend marks the center of the Christian calendar, as we follow Jesus Christ through his final gathering  with his disciples, his arrest, trial, crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection.  In these days, we see how divine love and divine forgiveness confronted the evil of this world, through suffering, pain, and ultimately death.  But with Christ's resurrection on Easter, we see the limitations of the powers of evil and sin, and the hope that love and forgiveness are stronger and more enduring.

At Eastgate, we will have worship services each day, remembering key events of these days.  Tonight, on Maundy Thursday, we will gather to remember Christ's great gifts to his disciples -- and through them, to all Christians -- his great teaching and example of love and service, particularly through the sacrament of Communion.  Then, as the darkness closes in, we will remember Christ's steps after the Last Supper, into a garden, through betrayal, arrest, and trial.

On Good Friday, tomorrow, we will stand at the foot of the cross.  Together, we will hear Isaiah's prophecy of the suffering servant and then we will hear Jesus' seven statements spoken from the cross, filled with wisdom, love, forgiveness, and humility.

As the sun sets on Holy Saturday, we will gather for the Great Vigil of Easter.  As we participate in the oldest worship service in the church (dating back at least 16 centuries), we celebrate Christ's resurrection, first with light, then with reminders of God's mighty and saving hand throughout human history.  Then we celebrate our place in the body of Christ, celebrating both the sacraments of baptism and Communion.

Then on Sunday, we will gather to celebrate Christ's resurrection.  The sermon, which will tie into our Lenten series about the Hebrews in the wilderness, will talk about the promise of Christ's resurrection for our journey and its final destination, "And I Saw a New Jerusalem."

These are the holiest of holy days, and our community will recognize them with worship, prayer, and lots of special music.  I hope that you find ways and space to follow Christ's journey and teaching these days.