Newtown really doesn’t seem that long ago, does it? Now we sit in front of TV screens and computer monitors and watch reports from Boston about another horrific tragedy. As I write this post, many things are still unclear about what happened that day. I’ve seen pictures of the aftermath. I’ve watched videos that demonstrate the bravery of people actually running toward the site of the explosion. At this point the FBI has not made any arrests. Interviews about the loved ones lost that day are being given by the heartbroken people left here. “How could this happen?” they ask.

I was sitting at a conference with about 30 other pastors when the news reached us. How does a room full of pastors react to a mass tragedy? We joined in prayer. We asked that God would comfort the mourning as only He can: with the hope which the resurrected Christ brings to all nations. We entrusted the situation, as we do with all things, to God’s almighty power, deep mercy, and infinite wisdom. Then we got back to studying God’s Word. That was the best thing we could do for ourselves and for the people God has given us the privilege of serving. It was fitting that the sermon text for our worship service that evening was Revelation 21:1-6. The focus of the pastor’s fine sermon was on listening to the voice of Jesus.

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Text: Isaiah 12:1-6

What gets you out of bed in the morning? Is it the irritating sound of your alarm clock shattering the silence of your bedroom? Is it your mom or dad waking you up for school? Is it the wonderful smell of bacon and eggs drifting to you from the kitchen? Or is it the list of things you need to get done that day, the drive to be successful?  What got you out of bed specifically on  Easter morning?  We gathered because we had reason to celebrate.  We gathered because there’s no more reason to fear. We meet on Easter because God, our strength and our song, has kept His promise. Jesus is risen!

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