INDEED

by Pastor Emeritus Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren (peter@lordoflife.org)

Easter morning worship begins with these words: Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. In so doing, we emulate Jesus’ disciples who after his resurrection said in Luke 24, verse 34, “the Lord is risen indeed.” It is a proclamation that has endured through the centuries in all corners of the Christian church.

The use of the word “indeed” is important. Many questioned whether Jesus was raised from the dead. But the disciples by their words and actions revealed that they were indeed certain of the truth of the resurrection. Overnight they were transformed from a confused and frightened group of followers, into a courageous, emboldened community that would sacrifice everything to follow Jesus. At the discovery of the empty tomb the world changed for the disciples and for us. We don’t need to be afraid. We are forever safe in God’s hands. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed.

Will we have problems? Of course we will have problems. Is there a good chance that we will die eventually? A 100 percent chance. Should that make us nervous? No. Because Jesus has already taken on himself the worst that death can do and then Jesus rose from the dead. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed.

One of my favorite characters in history is Winston Churchill. What I love most about him was his sheer pugnacity. He once gave a commencement address during World War II, while staring down Hitler. The whole text of the address was, “Never, never, never, never give up.” And he never did.

INDEED ...............................................................2-3 BIBLE 101: EASTER PEOPLE............................4-5 community life / hope..............................6-7 SUPPORT GROUPS............................................8-9 A RHYTHM OF PRAYER BOOK REVIEW .......... 10 CoVID UPDATE / COntact Us .......................... 11

Winston Churchill planned his own funeral. And he did so with the promise of the resurrection in mind. At the end of the funeral service, a bugler positioned high in the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral played Taps, the universal signal that says the day is over. Or in this case that life is done.

But then came a very dramatic moment. It happened just as Churchill instructed. Another bugler was placed on the other side of the massive dome, and he played the notes of Reveille, the universal signal that a new day has dawned and it is time to arise. Churchill never gave up because he believed that at the end of history, the last note will not be Taps, it will be Reveille. Jesus has opened the door to heaven. There is hope beyond the grave. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed.

Easter is the reminder that death does not have the final word. A reminder that death is not the end of our relationship with God, but rather a new beginning. Easter is the hope that has held human beings together for two millennia in the face of broken relationships, economic hardships, disease, pain, and in the end, death itself. We need never, never, never, never give up. God has won the victory. It’s morning. Reveille is playing. It’s time to get up. It’s Easter. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed.