A Man Running

One of the most vivid images in the whole New Testament is that of a man running. Jesus tells a story in Luke 15, about a son who can’t wait to get out of dodge. He gets his share of the family wealth, tells his father, "I want my money; I don’t want you,” and he leaves. After awhile, things go poorly. He squanders the money and he comes back home. He expects to grovel -- maybe he can be an employee somewhere on his dad’s land.

Instead, it says that the father, when he sees the son from a long way off, runs. The father runs to his son, and throws his arms around him.

There is a sense in which this story is a parable of the whole storyline of Scripture --the gracious Father running toward his wayward children.

In Holy Week, we celebrate the culmination of this story. Christ's life, death and resurrection are the apex of God's pursuit of you. Holy Week reminds us that you can go home -- not because you are good, but because you are wanted.

C.S. Lewis put it this way…

Apparently, then, our lifelong nostalgia, our longing to be reunited with something in the universe from which we now feel cut off, to be on the inside of some door which we have always seen from the outside, is no mere neurotic fancy, but the truest index of our real situation. And to be at last summoned inside would be both glory and honor beyond all our merits and also the healing of that old ache.

Getting Ready for Easter

We're expecting a full house for both services, so try and arrive a little early. And if you're willing, park a little further away and enjoy walking a few blocks.

Our Scripture for Sunday is Acts 13:26-43 -- the Apostle Paul's first recorded sermon. It's shot through with the resurrection.

Songs we'll sing this weekend include:

• Christ the Lord is Risen Today
• See the Conqueror
• Death in His Grave
• King of Kings
• Is He Worthy?
• The Lamb Has Overcome
• O Love That Will Not Let Me Go

We can't wait to worship with you this Sunday. Christ is risen!