From Passion Sunday throughout the Holy Week morning devotions and evening worship services, worship at Normandale Hylands UMC was so rich. I am so thankful that I was able to soak it in. Much of it focused on what we call “The Seven Last Words” of Jesus Christ. We know these as the words He spoke from the cross.

A devotion I read during Holy Week challenged the idea that those were Jesus’ last words. I still loved the morning devotions and found them so meaningful, but I love this challenge. These are not Jesus’ last words! He has more to say! He is Risen! Our Risen Lord had a whole lot to say after He died and rose again. He has a lot to say today.

Since we, the church, are “…the Body of Christ and individually members of it…”(1 Corinthians 12:27), Jesus has a whole lot to say through us! Jesus has something to say about folks who struggle for food, for health, for grace and the light of Christ. Jesus speaks loudly through our actions. We do so much informally. We also do so much formally through Church and Society, through United Methodist Women and Men, through Missions, just to name a few.

To make sure that we are the hands, feet and gracious voice of Christ, we listen to Jesus. We listen in worship, in Bible Study, in the prayers that guide all of our meetings. We listen on our own and together.

You may have heard of folks hearing a particular word from God. I sure have! God has plenty to say; sometimes through us, sometimes to us and it is such a surprising joy to listen.

Jesus had some amazing words from the cross; words of grace, of forgiveness, of paradise and accomplishment. Those were certainly not His last words! Christ is Risen!

It is so fun to listen for Jesus’ together with you and it is such a rich privilege to be with you as we share His Good News!

Christ is Risen indeed!

In Christ,

Pastor Rhodie