We had a great time last night, worshiping together on Good Friday. We reflected on Christ being crushed and killed as our sacrificial Lamb, as God "made Him who knew no sin, to be sin for us" on the cross. But Good Friday is only part of the complete Easter story.
Tomorrow, on Easter morning, we'll gather to worship in light of the resurrection. And in doing this the way we do, with Good Friday, then Easter on Sunday morning, we also put ourselves into the rhythms of the story. We leave Friday night with hopeful expectation, because we know that Christ did rise on Sunday, that "He is risen, just as He said" (Matthew 28:6).
As we prepare our hearts and minds for worship tomorrow morning, let's reflect on this: we know that the sacrifice for our sin that Christ offered to God was accepted, because He rose from the dead. He offered Himself as the sacrificial Lamb, taking all of the wrath of God upon Himself in our place; and as our High Priest, He came out alive from the presence of God after offering that sacrifice. Now, not only is His death and payment for our sin substituted to us, but His risen, resurrected life as well. We live, and will live because Christ lives for us, and in us. His resurrection is proof that everyone saved by the Gospel will rise from death - that our future with God in a restored creation is secure. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 says this:
"But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ."
So this is the truth we proclaim and worship because of tomorrow - that, united with Christ, His resurrection on Easter Sunday guarantees our own.
We hope you'll be there to worship and exult in these truths tomorrow morning. As you prepare, here are a few of the songs we'll sing together, to make sure you're ready to sing loud and well!
2. How Deep the Father's Love For Us
4. The Victory
5. Glorious Day
6. Happy Day
