“The crowning evidence that Jesus was alive was not a vacant grave, but a spirit-filled fellowship. Not a rolled-away stone, but a carried-away church.”
– Clarence Jordan
How carried away are we, church? A weird question, maybe, but a great one. Are we still looking for Jesus among the dead instead of letting the news of resurrection carry us away? Are we like the apostles, dismissing the women as sharing layros*? Are we able to believe that death no longer has the final word? How carried away are we willing to be, church?
What would that look like? Feel like? Sound like? Taste like?
Let’s ponder these questions together, and as Easter people, let us continually turn toward God’s spirit to listen, to act, and to let it carry us away to be the church the world needs.
In Joy,
Pastor Ruth
To learn about Clarence Jordan and how the gospel influenced his “carried-away” ministry, please visit: https://www.koinoniafarm.org/brief-history/
Let us pray:
God of mercy, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for he is alive and has become the Lord of life. Increase in our minds and hearts the risen life we share with Christ, and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
*Layros is translated as an “idle tale” but it is closer to bullsh*t. It is meant to be shocking and offensive.