“He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come; see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.” Matthew 28:6-7 (NLT)
In most churches their biggest turnout of the year is for Easter Sunday. This doesn’t happen by accident, since churches pour time, money, and resources into their church communications prior to Easter and it pays off with a full-sanctuary for hopefully multiple services. Yet, few churches have a continuing increase in attendance after Easter, or for most other periods of the year.
Easter week may have been fantastic, but without intentionally working on developing a continuing relationship with the people who only come at this time of year, we aren’t communicating the total message of Easter. Jesus came to earth, died on the cross, and rose from the grave to enable us to have an eternal relationship with him, not just a yearly visit to his church.
Clearly, many people return to the Church as they sense a growing spiritual emptiness in their lives, which only Jesus can fill. Yet, perhaps the greatest hindrance many face in taking that first step toward picking up their faith again, is found in a deep seated burdensome feeling of guilt and disappointment. Of course, if we have done something wrong guilt is healthy, provided it leads us on a path toward change. Nonetheless,the negativity created around unburdened "guilt" will not only destroy the mind and the body, it can grievously wound the soul!
Jesus, was known not for condemning people but for his kindness to sinners and for unforgettable stories like the Prodigal Son returning to a lavish welcome. Jesus understands completely, even more than we do, why we left the Church and why we now are seeking to return. But the Church has often not kept pace with our personal desires to seek change and renewal within our lives!
When people who’ve not visited church since their last “special Sunday” - walk into churches across the nation and find that there is little warmth, no real sense of fellowship, and very few genuine relationships beyond “hi” and “bye”, should we expect them to return next Sunday? The church over time has developed its own music, its own language and its own culture. Clearly, many people within the church lay and clerical structure appear to have forgotten what it’s like to be in the real world, and they’ve come to live in a bubble with a pointy steeple.
Yes, we often take the church for granted. Even worse, we sometimes resent or despise the church because of the failings of its all-too-human leaders and members. However, when you and I take a long hard look at the history of the church we see some shining mountain tops, but we also see some dreadful conditions and actions humanity has taken in the name of God. So, shouldn't we just give up on the church then? My emphatic response is, No!
In reality the church should exhibit the spirit of life that is truly pumped by the blood from Emanuel’s veins. Jesus never wanted His Church, the People of God, to be a religious political party, as was the case with the Sadducees' and Pharisees’ of His time. But, rather as a group of true believers who knew how to love and be loved.
There is hope! And, I believe with all my heart that the greatest churches are yet to be built! There are thousands of loyal and faithful followers of our Lord and Savior who have faithfully "bought into" the New Testament model of what Christ wanted the Church to be, and are busy working at building it. They are the future of the church, and yes I hope you’re one of them, as they continue too build upon the glorious Kingdom of God!
Let us pray
God our Father, creator of all,
today is the day of Easter joy.
This is the morning on which the Lord
appeared to those who had begun to lose hope
and opened their eyes to what the scriptures foretold:
that first he must die, and then he would rise
and ascend into his Father's glorious presence.
May the risen Lord
breathe on our minds and open our eyes
that we may know him in the breaking of bread,
and follow him in his risen life.
Grant this through Jesus, the Christ our Lord.
Dr. Velma Willis - Lead Me, Guide Me
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