All

Now may the God of endurance and encouragement grant you harmony with one another in Christ Jesus, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Romans 15:5-6

It is recorded in Exodus 31 that God poured out his Spirit on Bezalel, a master craftsman, to enable him to build the tabernacle and ark of the covenant. This was a time when specific people were anointed specifically to create a beautiful space where the Hebrew people could meet with God.

These days, God has poured out his Spirit on all of his sons and daughters!  Specifically ALL.  

From start to finish, the creation of the Easter Service was a team effort and an act of worship, empowered by the Holy Spirit.  As we labored together (writers, actors, musicians, hospitality, nursery, greeters, etc… ), we offered our creativity back to God, asking him to anoint the service so that it would be a beautiful space where people could meet with God. All.  Not just the Christians.

If you weren’t there, this is what we did:  We created a memorial service for Jesus.

The service started with one of our pastors reading the eulogy (not ever mentioning Jesus’ name), and then inviting “friends and family” to share memories.  Jesus’ mother spoke first, followed by Peter; the woman at the well; Jairus and his daughter; Zaccheus, and Thomas.

Thomas’ remembrances were cut short by the sound of distant church bells ringing, and then Mary Magdelene burst into the assembly hall, shouting, “Stop!  Stop the service!  He’s not dead!”

She ran to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and, after hugging her, began to sing a powerful song that proclaimed that Jesus was alive!  Toward the end of the song,  “Jesus” walked through the doors, dressed all in white, not dead as we supposed, but risen!  As he walked down the aisle toward his mother at the front of the church, all of his friends came out from their seats among the congregation and followed him, stunned and overwhelmed with joy.

Someday Jesus (the real one) will come through the door, followed by a host from every tribe, tongue, and nation.  A powerful moment happened for me when I suddenly saw - in my mind’s eye - my own father among that throng.  My own father (who died almost 8 years ago), following hard on the heels of Jesus when Jesus walks through that door.  Alive.  I wept with the beauty and promise of that revelation.

It struck me.  As we collaborate with each other and the Spirit of God, each service and act of service, each event and every interaction, will become holy spaces in which people like my father (and yours) - like my neighbor  (and yours) - can meet with God.  Where all people will experience God’s love.  Then, one day, we will turn to see Jesus come through the door, and ALL those people will be hard on his heels, glorifying him with one mind and one voice!  

Beverly