Good Friday | April 3rd

  “When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away.”

  Matthew 27:57-60

  There is a song by Paul Zach titled “He’s Gone.” I value this song in relation to the death of our Lord because it does not conclude with a triumphant resolution. Instead, it leaves the listener with the stark reality of the sealed tomb and the disciples’ perception that Jesus was truly gone.

  Beloved, sometimes we move too quickly to the hope of the resurrection without fully contemplating the sacrifice of our Lord and the despair experienced by His followers. It is essential to acknowledge suffering, loss, and the finality of life. When was the last time you visited a cemetery, not for a ceremony or to mourn someone you knew, but simply to be present? Solitude in a cemetery during the bleakness of winter can evoke a profound awareness of mortality and the frailty of life on this side of eternity. Such moments prompt reflection on loss and personal mortality. When did you last choose to be alone, intentionally isolating yourself to confront uncomfortable realities?

  Such experiences are not intended to provoke depression, fear, or overwhelming grief. Rather, these seasons can impart wisdom, greater sobriety, and a deeper understanding of genuine comfort. If we move too quickly beyond Friday and Saturday, we risk failing to appreciate the glory, victory, and comfort that Sunday brings.

  A great stone was rolled to the entrance of the tomb, and Joseph went away. There are seasons in life that reflect the pain, defeat, loss, and finality of this moment. Ignoring these experiences, or failing to question and explore our responses to them, is unwise. This inability to linger in the discomfort of Friday night’s fear or to wrestle with anger, doubt, and grief on Saturday often results in an inability to truly comfort others. Sunday will come, and Resurrection Day brings hope and joy to the broken-hearted. Those who have been forgiven much, love much. Let us remain still today. Sunday will come.

In Christ Alone.

Pastor Wight

A Clean House | April 2nd

 “And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple.”

   Mark 11:15-16

  Beloved, many of us celebrate Resurrection Sunday by wearing something new. It’s a joyful time, and we want to look our best and feel hopeful. While this is meaningful, let’s also remember Jesus’ actions during Passion Week when he cleansed the temple. Are there things in our hearts that need to be removed? Do we have attitudes that need to change or burdens we should lay down?

  We desire to worship our risen Lord and seek His transformative work within us, so that we may reflect His life. Christ comes to cleanse our hearts and renew a right spirit within us. This transformation, accomplished by the Holy Spirit, is glorious yet involves significant change. It requires wrestling, brokenness, repentance, humility, and surrender.

  Do not fear the intense struggle that may arise within your mind and heart as the Spirit purifies your temple. You are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God will reign within your heart, permitting no compromise. It is beneficial for us to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, for He will raise you into a greater likeness of Christ each day.

  May the Lord continually cleanse our hearts and lives, for we belong to Him.

In Christ Alone.

Pastor Wight

Best Seat in the House | April 1st

  “And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him,....Jesus saw their faith...the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts,...”

  Mark 2:4,5,6

  Sometimes, the best place to be isn’t always right up front. It depends on how you look at things. The scribes may have been sitting close to Jesus, but the lame man and his friends saw more with their hearts from outside, which led them to remove the roof.

  The child sitting way up in the bleachers, whose family paid a fraction of what those sitting at court side paid, may have more joy in the sporting event and a belief in the players than the individual who spent thousands to have a front-row seat.

  Beloved, these four friends approached Jesus with a faith unwilling to remain outside. When they found no room, not even at the door, they removed the roof to reach Him. In contrast, the scribes inside did not recognize Jesus’ true identity and were unsettled by His words.

  Let us avoid becoming so comfortable in the house of God that we lose our sense of awe for Christ. Pray that the Spirit of God cultivates within you an attitude of worship rather than criticism. May the Holy Spirit grant us a faith that overcomes any obstacle separating us from time with the Lord. Begin today by setting aside a moment to be with the Lord and come to His house with rejoicing.

In Christ Alone.

Pastor Wight