In the first two chapters of Genesis, God lays out some foundational first principles about the origin, dignity, nature, purpose, and limitation of work. Work is not a part of the curse or a necessary evil; it is a call to partner with a God who works. The essence of our work is to imitate God and to join him in cultivating and caring for his good creation. We work to display his excellence and to seek the common good. We also rest, knowing that our identity and significance is not ultimately found in our productivity or earnings.

On Easter morning, Christ rose victorious over the final enemy, death. What had Jesus accomplished that made his resurrection not only possible, but inevitable?

On the night that Jesus died, he was not as passive as things looked on the surface. In fact, he was engaged in a cosmic battle between good and evil, light and darkness. And by his death, he destroyed the adversary along with his power of death.

At Jesus’ ultimate moment of crisis, Peter panicked and denied him three times, then fled into the night in fear. But, having defeated death, Jesus pursues Peter to the place where he first called him to follow him. Jesus initiates fellowship, forgives Peter’s failure, reminds him of his calling, and recommissions him for pastoral ministry.

It’s three days after Jesus’ death, and his disciples are hiding in fear behind locked doors. Jesus comes to them and graciously confronts their doubt. Why did they not believe that he would rise from the dead as he said? Jesus offers clear evidence that he has indeed conquered death – and he commissions his disciples with the task of going and telling others this news.

Lazarus, a close friend of Jesus is sick, so Jesus delays his visit until after Lazarus dies. Everyone is confused: if Jesus had come sooner, Lazarus wouldn't have died. But in the end, Jesus does a greater miracle than he healing a sick man; he raises a dead man – displaying a far greater power and authority than they ever dreamed of witnessing.

In the familiar parable of The Prodigal Son, one son runs away and squanders his inheritance while his elder brother stays home and works. When the father welcomes home the prodigal, even hosting a feast to honor him, the elder brother loses his mind. In this story, Jesus teaches us about the subtle danger of feeling entitled to God’s grace – and hating those who need it.

When Jesus visits the home of two sisters, Mary sits at his feet and listens to his teaching while Martha is busy playing host. Martha finally vents her frustration about having to serve alone, and Jesus takes the opportunity to teach about the true heart of service.

When Simon the Pharisee invites Jesus to dinner at his home, the scene is interrupted by a notoriously sinful woman of that town. She lets down her hair and washes Jesus' feet with her tears and perfume. Jesus uses the scandalous incident to teach the connection between forgiveness and love, graphically illustrating how disgrace is converted into unashamed worship.

Jesus was surrounded by crowds, but that didn’t hinder two desperate people from getting to him. Jairus, a synagogue ruler, sought Jesus out because his daughter was dying (and subsequently died). A woman sought Jesus out because she had a serious medical condition that couldn’t be cured. Both had faith and hope in Jesus, and both found healing in his touch.