Greetings to all in the Love of Jesus Christ:
Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen indeed!
All around the Arizona Region – indeed, all around the world – that message of good news was preached on Sunday. I heard it at sunrise in Saguaro National Park from the pastoral team of Saguaro Christian Church: Kelley Dick, Jessica Braxton, and Patricia Leong. I heard it at breakfast at First Christian Church of Tucson, as they shared breakfast and then a worship service with Comunidad Limen Christian Church, during which they celebrated the baptism of Pastor Pedro’s son Santiago. I heard it at Desert Dove Christian Church from the pastoral team of Kathleen Day and Kevin Prahar. And I know you all heard it in your local congregations, as many of you celebrated baptism and proclaimed the good news: Christ is Risen!
And in typical Disciples fashion, many of our preachers emphasized that resurrection is not a one-time event, limited to the individual raising of Jesus. Rather, resurrection is the eternal process of God bringing light into darkness, bringing form to the chaotic, bringing new life where once all we saw was death. The Israelites suffering oppression in Egypt were liberated, given new life and a new start in the Promised Land. The Israelites suffering oppression in Babylon were liberated, given new life and a new start as they returned from the Exile. From the beginning of time until the present day, the creative power of God’s love is bringing new life to us and to all of creation.
Even though we celebrated Sunday, I know that we all face individual and collective moments of darkness. Everything didn’t change over night. Resurrection doesn’t happen on our timetable, and the challenges of life are still before us. But hopefully the story of Easter, the reminder that God’s creative power works among us, that God’s love will not leave us alone forever, will inspire us to face our challenges with hope and faith.
Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen indeed!
Dios les bendiga!
Pastor Jay
Regional Minister and President, Christian Church in Arizona
