Delafield Presbyterian Church

Phone: 262-646-2323

	Mail Us:	P.O. Box 180315
		Delafield, WI 53018

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Lenten Devotional

Sunday, April 20, 2003

Easter Sunday

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified.
He has been raised; he is not here.
-- Mark 16:6

Christ is risen! Alleluia!

Mark's gospel ends, not with rejoicing, but with doubt and hesitation. "So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them, for they were afraid
(Mark 16:8).

Where are the alleluias? Where are the shouts of joy? Where are the resurrection appearances of Jesus?

Perhaps more than any of the other gospels, Mark reminds us that the rest of the story, if there is to be a rest of the story, must be written by us. Christ is risen. God's redeeming work is done. By the Holy Spirit, he now dwells in us.

So if God's love and grace are to be extended into a world that has always desperately needed to hear this good news, it will be through your voice, your hands, your mind, your heart, your actions.

Christ is risen. But it only matters to the world if you take the gospel into the world in which you live -- in your homes, in your workplace, in your friendships.

We have received grace upon grace! Now its our job to share it day by day!

Prayer:

                        The day of resurrection! Earth, tell it out abroad;
                        The Passover of gladness, The Passover of God.
                        From death to life eternal, From this world to the sky,
                        Our Christ hath brought us over With hymns of victory.

                        Our hearts be pure from evil, That we may see aright
                        The Lord in rays eternal Of resurrection light;
                        And, listening to His accents, May hear, so calm and plain,
                        His own "All hail!" and, hearing, May raise the victor strain.

                        Now let the heavens be joyful, Let earth the song begin,
                        Let the round world keep triumph, And all that is therein;
                        Let all things seen and unseen Their notes of glad-ness blend,
                        For Christ the Lord is risen, Our joy that hath no end.                                                                                                                        -- Presbyterian Hymnal (1991), #118