In about 10 days, millions of people will be running to see the solar eclipse. It’s all over the news. We’ve all heard about this for months. It’s cool and unique.

About 2000 years ago the followers of Jesus heard about another event far more important and salvific. Three times in Mark’s gospel Jesus told his disciples He is headed to the cross where He will die and on the third day be raised from the dead. Yet, after His death, no one ran to the tomb believing His words. No one. We read in all four gospel accounts that the women who came to the tomb brought only anointing oil for a dead body, not a living Lord.

The most significant event in God’s history with the world and no one understood or seemed to care. Those of us who will witness the eclipse will see it for a few minutes. Millions will go and see. A few came to the tomb asking who will roll away the entrance stone. No resurrection expectation. This makes the reality of the resurrection that more believable. Even more so that the gospel writers all maintain that women were the first eyewitnesses when everybody knew a woman’s testimony was not admissible in court or anywhere else.

This Easter we will celebrate the beginning of a new creation when God’s love is stamped on the world. The tomb entrance is rolled back not so Jesus can get out but so we can look in. Startled. Amazed. Fearful. Much like an eclipse. People will return from watching the eclipse, talk about it for awhile and then forget and move on.

At the empty tomb, the women heard the angel say, “Go, tell His disciples and Peter. On the way you will meet Jesus." This all happened the first day of the week, like a new creation from Genesis 1. Much of the world will change forever. Forgiveness of sin will be preached and lived out. Lives will be transformed to be more like Jesus.

Eclipses will come, go and eventually end. Easter people, with faith in Christ, will live forever and until He comes back, will influence this world with Heaven. Enjoy the eclipse. Engage the resurrection.

Tomorrow, experience the Maundy Thursday foot washing and stripping of the altar- 6:30 pm. Bring friends and family.

Good Friday at noon, walk with Jesus in His steps with the stations of the cross.

Saturday, relive salvation history and light the first Easter fire of 2024 at the Easter vigil- 8:00 pm.

Easter Sunday celebrate and then go tell the world- He is Risen! 8:00 am, 9:30 am, 11:00 am.

Come and See

+Philip