It's dark. Foggy? Maybe tule fog. A bundled-up woman opens a gate to a garden. She carries spices. She's not planning to bake; she's planning a burial. She's humming. Her song's in a minor key. Is that fog or is it mist in her eyes? Yeah, she's weeping. And it's dark.
That's the beginning of the resurrection story. When we come to church for Easter, I think we forget how the story begins. We're so focused on the happiness of the resurrection, we forget the cross. We forget Mary came to the tomb in utter sorrow. Hope got itself executed. Life was lousy. But she had loved him, so here she came with spices.
This weekend at Lakeside Church we're celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. If I may help to prepare you, expect a party. The resurrection calls for it! A big, blow-out kind of party.
But also expect to engage a dead man who came to life. Expect to start slow. He died. He died because of and on behalf of our sin. The sorrow of the cross makes the joy of the resurrection sweeter. And it's going to be a sweet party.
That's all I can tell you now. See you this weekend. Come early; don't miss anything.
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Friday, 4:30, 6:00, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, 4:30, 6:00, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, 7:30, 9:00, 11:00 a.m.
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