Every Easter Sunday, thousands gather in churches throughout the world to hear the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. But that’s not what Jesus said to do! In Marks account of the gospel, chapter 16, Jesus had told them what to do and where to go do it-into all the world.

So we still sit in our comfortable churches, inviting people to come sit with us to hear about Jesus instead of going out to them where they’re at and living the true gospel of Jesus. What is the true gospel? It’s loving others as Christ loved us. It’s caring enough to heal the sick, cast out tormenting spirits, raise people from the dead. It’s the first place Jesus went, out where the people were.

“Go everywhere in the world. Tell the Good News to everyone. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved. But those who do not believe will be judged guilty. And the people who believe will be able to do these things as proof: They will use my name to force demons out of people. They will speak in languages they never learned. If they pick up snakes or drink any poison, they will not be hurt. They will lay their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

Father, I’m sorry for letting you down, for not going and being who you created and called me to be. I’ve allowed it to be about me when clearly it’s about others. I’m trying to get it right, see if it will work for me before I go ‘try’ it out on someone else. You clearly showed us it’s better to give than to receive but here we sit with our hands held out saying, ‘gimme, gimme, gimme’, ‘me first! me first!’

Lord, this Easter, may it not be about baskets of candy and fun for our children, but may we take our children into the community and show them how to heal the sick and cast out demons, even to show them how to love like you. “Just as I am without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me. And that thou bidst me come to thee. Oh Lamb of God I come. I come.” Amen