Christ is Risen!

On that early morning, the first Easter, several women went to the tomb where Jesus was buried. Their arrival was not a coincidence. Each of the four Gospels record the experience. These were the same women who were early followers of Jesus, from Jesus’ Galilee ministry through each and every joy, trial, death and resurrection. These were the faithful.

Easter celebrates the faithful. The faithfulness of the women, the faithfulness of Jesus and the faithfulness of God. Each kept their promise, the women followed all the way to the end, Jesus poured out his life for his followers and God provided grace, salvation and resurrection. 

I do not know about you, but I could use a resurrection. Resurrection is the gift of raising us up beyond our circumstances, beyond pain, beyond suffering, beyond sin, beyond everything that seeks to consume health, joy, justice and life itself. I can use mini resurrection each and every day. That is why the women faithfully followed. In Jesus Christ they experienced a resurrection every day. I too experience mini resurrections every day through you, your congregation, your leadership and your ministry. You are the body of Christ, embodying the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Thank you.

In this Easter season, let us all continue to be faithful and live so that others witness and experience the resurrected Christ in and through us.

Happy Easter,

John

Bishop John Schol

The United Methodists of

Eastern Pennsylvania & Greater New Jersey