As we continue on our journey to Easter we encounter two teachings of Jesus that reinforce important truths about the interior life of a Christian. In both Jesus uses earthy, common, easy to understand language. In the first Jesus uses the illustration of a tree producing fruit. In the second He uses the image of a house being built.
Someone unfamiliar with the structure of a tree, someone unschooled in the development of a house, might make the mistake of thinking that what can be seen on the outside is the measure of the health and soundness of both. If the fruit on the branch looks good … if the paint on the walls looks good … but to those who know something about trees and houses it is clear that appearances can be deceiving.
The old joke, “What’s worse than finding a worm in your apple? Finding half a worm.”
Good looking apples can be rotten on the inside. A beautiful looking house may have hidden fatal flaws. It’s difficult, possible but difficult, to miss Jesus’ point. The most significant aspect of a house is a good solid foundation. The critical aspect of a fruit tree is its roots and inner structure. In a human life too. The question is, as we build our lives what do we spend most of our time on? Do we focus painting around the windows or do we invest in a good foundation? Do we polish the exterior of the apple or do we make sure our roots are grounded in the right kind of soil? Great teachings from God Himself, with eternal consequences.
Proof In Trees & Houses (9AM)
April 3, 2022 • Curt McFarland • Luke 6:43–49
Fears, Doubts, and Broiled Fish (11AM)
April 24, 2022 • Curt McFarland • Luke 24:36–53
Easter Sunday began with an empty tomb and a question from Mary, “Where have you taken His body?” And then everything changed. Mary came face to face with Jesus, alive again (John 20:11-16). The women who were the first to visit the empty tomb saw angels who told them that Jesus was not dead but alive (Luke 24:1-9). Two traveling on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus walked with the risen Jesus, talked with Him, listened to Him, ate with Him, (only at the very end, as Jesus blessed and broke bread for them, did they recognize Him) and then Jesus vanished (Luke 24:13-35). Luke tells us that Jesus appeared to Peter (Luke 24:34), we don’t have the details of that anywhere else. And now it is evening that first Easter. What happened next confirmed everything about Jesus’ resurrection. As the eleven closest to Jesus, His disciples, gathered that night, others were with them too, Jesus suddenly appeared. No gentle knock at the door, a dramatic appearance. Those there were terrified. Jesus spoke words of peace and then offered proof, “touch me and see.” He showed them His hands and feet as evidence that He was not a disembodied spirit but real flesh and bones, a physical body risen from the dead. As added proof He ate a piece of broiled fish in front of them. He lives eternally in the flesh … and so shall we. Eternity will be glorious, light, love, filled with adventure, flesh and bones, new and renewed relationships, and the presence of One who loves us, One who died for us and rose again, One we will be able to touch and see.
Fears, Doubts, and Broiled Fish (9AM)
April 24, 2022 • Curt McFarland • Luke 24:36–53
Easter Sunday began with an empty tomb and a question from Mary, “Where have you taken His body?” And then everything changed. Mary came face to face with Jesus, alive again (John 20:11-16). The women who were the first to visit the empty tomb saw angels who told them that Jesus was not dead but alive (Luke 24:1-9). Two traveling on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus walked with the risen Jesus, talked with Him, listened to Him, ate with Him, (only at the very end, as Jesus blessed and broke bread for them, did they recognize Him) and then Jesus vanished (Luke 24:13-35). Luke tells us that Jesus appeared to Peter (Luke 24:34), we don’t have the details of that anywhere else. And now it is evening that first Easter. What happened next confirmed everything about Jesus’ resurrection. As the eleven closest to Jesus, His disciples, gathered that night, others were with them too, Jesus suddenly appeared. No gentle knock at the door, a dramatic appearance. Those there were terrified. Jesus spoke words of peace and then offered proof, “touch me and see.” He showed them His hands and feet as evidence that He was not a disembodied spirit but real flesh and bones, a physical body risen from the dead. As added proof He ate a piece of broiled fish in front of them. He lives eternally in the flesh … and so shall we. Eternity will be glorious, light, love, filled with adventure, flesh and bones, new and renewed relationships, and the presence of One who loves us, One who died for us and rose again, One we will be able to touch and see.
Meeting The Risen Jesus On The Road (11AM) Easter
April 17, 2022 • Curt McFarland • Luke 24:1–35
It’s Easter morning! This day celebrates the high point of our life and faith. Because of what took place that first Easter we live with a new confidence, a new and certain hope, a new and present power. All of the claims of Christian faith depend on the miraculous, supernatural reality of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Thursday’s betrayal, and Thursday’s garden prayer play an important part. His sham of a trial Thursday night, continuing into Friday morning, plays an important part. His brutal torture, His unjust condemnation, His journey to the place of His execution, all tell important parts of the story. His death and final cry “It is finished,” reveal the lengths God was willing to go to find us and save us. But it is Easter morning, the empty tomb, Jesus alive, that provides the substance for all we believe. The resurrection of Jesus changes how we view Him, how we understand God, how we make sense of our life and death and eternity, and how we love others as we follow our risen Savior. He is so much more than a moral teacher, a prophet, a Holy one … He is our promised Redeemer, He is Emmanuel, God with us!