Pastor’s eNote: Weekly Update

The story we retell this week is one of unexpected sorrow and unexpected joy.

Palm Sunday signals the long-awaited arrival of the Messiah. Hopes and expectations on that long-past day must have been soaring. The Jewish faithful finally have their salvation revealed to them. As shared on Sunday, however, most of those in Jerusalem that day simply misunderstood or missed all together the true enemy Jesus came to face. The Romans look petty compared to the enemy of sin and death.

Jesus’ final meal with His disciples on Thursday, followed by his crucifixion on Friday, represented the unexpected sorrow the disciples had to face. There were hardly any among Jesus’ followers who could see this coming. We can understand why the gospel stories of Jesus’ death are filled with shame, anger, and denial. No one likes unexpected sorrow.

Easter Sunday is as unexpected as the events of Thursday and Friday were. Jesus is resurrected! Jesus was clear that his final miracle would be the mighty defeat of sin and death as He victoriously is raised. He told everyone this before his death but, still no one was expecting it.

I hope that we all experience some of the unexpected during our sorrow and celebration this week. These events are not a “wash, rinse, repeat” affair of our annual calendar. These events have deep meaning for us, not just as events to be believed, but that their implication for us today is rich.

As we face our personal struggles and global crises, Jesus’ death and resurrection become an important touchstone for us. How we see the world is foundationally changed! Holding the truth of these events close means everything for us. Consider these words from scripture and from the founder of the Methodist movement:

“…and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.” – 1 Corinthians 15:14

“I allow, that it is the resurrection of Christ… which is the grand proof of the whole Christian system. Without this, the law and the prophets, and all the miracles of our Lord, would be of no effect.” — Rev. John Wesley, Letter to Dr. Middleton (1749)

My prayer is that we not just observe these events this week. I am praying that we walk through the experience of them as those did long ago. I am praying that we can see the modern-day implications of these events in our troubled world. I am praying that none of us participate in a faith of “no effect.”

The mystery of our faith is that Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. May we be living proof of that mystery each day.

I wish you all a blessed Holy Week.

Grace to You All,

Pastor Craig Brown

(March 31st, 2026)