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The resurrection of Jesus is not just a good ending to tragic story. It changes everything. For the seven Sundays of Easter we are exploring the implications of the empty tomb. This week we will explore what the resurrection means for our daily work, our jobs, our vocations.

The resurrection of Jesus is not just an event outside of us; we are joined to Jesus. This means we can "practice resurrection" (Berry) today. We are joined to Jesus in his death and his new life. And so we can walk in new life today. Showing the world what our future resurrection will one day look like.

Life is scary. Matthew's report of the resurrection of Jesus does not erase this truth. In fact, the first witnesses of Jesus' resurrection were afraid even as they worshipped the Risen Jesus. But Jesus gives us two gifts when we are afraid: 1/ a merciful response to our fear, and 2/ a purposeful mission. We will explore both this Easter Sunday.

Jesus describes what it means to follow in his Way. We practice forgiveness and humilty. Both of these practices are humanly impossible. But God gives us a mustard seed of faith.

Jesus says to the Pharisees: "you are the ones who justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts." Jesus is calling us to live before an audience of one.

Jesus tells three stories to describe, and invite us into, his welcome.

Jesus looks at a large crowd of people following him around. And instead of rejoicing in his own fame, he challenges his followers to consider what it means to truly follow him. As Hans Bayer once said, following Jesus is like giving him a blank check. We surrender our life to his purposes. At first this seems impossibly bad. But it is the truest path to freedom.

Who will eat at the table with God? This is actually a question the Biblical story wants us to ask. And it is answered by Jesus while dining with the Pharisees and Bible scholars of his day. His answer very much surprised them. And it will also surprise you.

It's been said that Luke's gospel centers around eating. Jesus is either heading to a meal, at a meal, or leaving a meal. This week, Jesus is at a table and will give us new Spirit-empowered table manners that are meant to spill into all of life.

Jesus embraced rejection on our behalf. This was no accident of history. The cross was at the center of Jesus' work he set out to complete.

Jesus continues to describe his reign. Paradoxically entrance to his kingdom is very narrow; and yet once you are inside it is very spacious.

The way that Jesus describes his new Kingdom is surprising. What can we learn about what it means to be a citizen of his surprising Kingdom?

Sometimes those with the strongest commitment to godly living can miss the point and more tragically miss out on Jesus.

We all crave a confident definition of God. And so we listen to confident voices online, or in our life, for clear statements about God. But what if, instead, we meditated on the authoritative voice that says: "Here is your God!" in Isaiah 40:9?