EDITOR'S NOTE: In October 2021 I began a new venture writing a newspaper column titled "Finding Faith" for the Forum Communications Co. network of newspapers and websites. I was asked to contribute to the company's ongoing conversation about faith, lending a Lutheran and fairly ecumenical approach to the discussion. The column was published in several of the company's papers and websites, including The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. This column originally appeared as a "Finding Faith" column on March 29, 2024.
By The Rev. Devlyn Brooks
I think we too often forget in our Christian faith that Easter is as much about living in this earthly kingdom as it is about our salvation in the hereafter.
Yes, Easter is popular because in Christ’s salvific action of going to his crucifixion on the cross, he ransomed our sins and assured us eternal life in God’s heavenly kingdom. And yes, Jesus indeed conquered death when he rose from his tomb.
But, as the Gospel of Mark tells us, we do not have to wait until our own demise to receive Jesus’ promises.
In fact, we are promised by an angelic messenger that Jesus goes before us here on earth as well: “6 But he said to them, 'Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.'” (Mark 16:6-7 NSRV)
In other words, Jesus not only prepares our way to heaven, but he also promises that wherever this earthly kingdom takes us, Jesus is there too!
I don’t know what season in life you are currently in; it could be joy or sorrow. I also don’t know what uncertainties you may be facing, or what blessings you may be enjoying! But the gospel -- or good news -- promises us that Jesus Christ is already there in that season with you. In fact, he was there ahead of you, preparing the way!
I think we too often believe that our faith only benefits us in our afterlife, and therefore think that we must go it alone in this rough and tumble life here on earth.
But this Easter, just imagine that you too have one of God’s own messengers who has come to visit you with a very special message: You no longer need to live in fear of what’s to come next. You no longer need to fear the trials here in this life. Because our loving God already promises to be there in those moments with you!
Jesus is going to Galilee ahead of us, meaning he will be in the thick of it with us wherever we are at.
And I pray that every one of us receives this good news with jubilation this Easter, as it means that God isn’t only there for us at the end of our lives, but he’s also living it alongside us right here, right now.
He will meet us in Galilee, already having paved the way there for us!
Happy Easter, Faith Family!
Devlyn Brooks is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and serves Faith Lutheran Church in Wolverton, Minn. He blogs about faith at findingfaithin.com, and can be reached at devlynbrooks@gmail.com.