Dear HBIC Family,

A few weeks ago, my friend and longtime member of our church and community, Chuck Musser, shared with me that before the cross became the most treasured symbol of our Christian faith, early Christians treasured the empty tomb. I found this to be fascinating. I knew about the fish symbol for early Christians; fish in their Greek was “Ichthys” and for them that was an acrostic that spelled out Jesus (I – Iēsoūs) Christ (Ch – Khrīstós), God’s (Th – Theoû) Son (Y -Yiós), Savior (S – Sōtēr). So, in a time when to call oneself a Christian could mean death, they invented a common symbol (the fish) to identify themselves. But the empty tomb?

Moving from the tomb to the cross as the symbol of Christianity brings us to Calvary. It imposes Jesus’ death as not only the climax of the story, but perhaps the most important part of the story. However, we must also remember that the empty tomb matters. It matters because this was the word Jesus prophesied and God delivered. 

Jesus’ resurrection matters because it was witnessed by the angels. It matters because the resurrected Jesus appeared to over 500 people. It matters because it transformed disciples into apostles, and a holy remnant into a worldwide Church. Paul reminded us that resurrection matters because without it, our witness, testimony, and faith are useless. 

As we continue our journey through Holy Week together this year, may we do so by holding on to both the cross and the empty tomb. Together, they more completely tell the story and more completely share about the saving work of Jesus our King. Together, they unite us with saints across the world and across time, who live to profess “It is finished!” and “He has risen! He has risen, indeed!”

Here at HBIC, we worship together in a few different ways, during Holy Week. We will begin tonight with our Maundy Thursday service at 7pm in the Sanctuary; this service will include communion and foot washing as we remember Jesus the suffering servant who calls us to live our lives to serve others. On Good Friday, we will be hosting prayer stations from 5:30-7:30 pm; this self-guided journey invites us to reflect and respond as we pray with Gethsemane and the cross in mind. All of this leads to Easter Sunday, when we joyfully celebrate that Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen, indeed!

To prepare for this week’s services, I invite you to read and meditate on Holy Week and Jesus, as found in Luke 22-24. As you reflect, I would like to ask you to focus on the following questions:

• Jesus modeled service to God. Where is God inviting you to serve?
• Jesus modeled surrender to God. Where is God calling you to submit and surrender?
• Jesus modeled prayerful reliance on God. Where is God calling you to pray and fully trust?
• Jesus is faithful. Where is God calling you to grow in faithfulness?
• Jesus died on Calvary’s tree. What sacrifice is God asking of you today?
• Jesus was raised from the dead. What is God resurrecting in your life right now?

For many of us, the cross is where we truly met Jesus. It is a symbol of Jesus’ service, sacrifice, and surrender. It is a reminder that God so loved the world, that grace abounds much more, and that we have been set free, free, indeed. 

Nevertheless, my dear sisters and brothers, we must also hold on to, remember, and give praise to God for the empty tomb. Through the resurrection, we learn that the work of Jesus had been fully completed, and fully accepted by God. Through the resurrection, we learn that death and darkness does not have the final word, and that they have been defeated. Through the resurrection, we will know the power of the Holy Spirit that gifts us life more abundantly, makes us new creations in Christ, and transforms us day by day into the image of Jesus.

Christ is risen. Christ is risen, indeed! And we are most blessed in his name. 

Love in Christ,

Pastor Hank (Luke 24:6-8)