As I have been preparing for this week’s messages and worship services, I was struck by JOY.  In Matthew 28:1-10, Mary Magdalene and some other women encounter Jesus near the tomb where he was placed.  They were expecting to be able to anoint Jesus body with more embalming spices.  There is confusion when they arrive and don’t find Jesus body there.  As they are running and stumbling on their way to tell the disciples they encounter Jesus.  They don’t recognize him right away.  Only after he says, “Hello!” (Better translation would be, “Shalom!  Peace be with you!  All is well!”) do they recognize him.  Its as if her heart, mind, and soul are flooded all at once with this incredible and stunning revelation.  Jesus!  Mary’s surprise is stunning!  Call it JOY with a capital J.

I tried to imagine what this would have been like.  To have loved Jesus in life, watched and weeped as he was beaten and flogged, crucified, and then this?  JOY!  This encounter, in relatively limited recorded words in Scripture, unlocks a hinge in all of history.

What does this mean (Jesus resurrection?)?  Everything…

Friday, 6:00pm at Crestview, we will walk through the drama of Jesus final hours on the cross.  We will worship together with All Souls Church through the passion of Jesus.  And then on Easter, 9:30am, we will celebrate JOY along with Mary Magdalene in the stunning revelation that Jesus has risen, he is alive and he greets us with the word, “Shalom!”  

THIS REVELATION CHANGES EVERYTHING!  The staff and leadership of Crestview Church invite you to come and worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with us on Good Friday and Easter.  And we encourage you to invite your friends and neighbors to join in these services.

See you soon,
Pastor Mark