Happy Easter! Our series through the fruit of the Spirit continues with a look at Gentleness on Resurrection Sunday. Before a crowd in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus does something in prayer that was totally unprecedented. He speaks of knowing the Father in intimate relationship, as His very Son and more, as the only means of seeing the Father. This claim of exclusivity and authority was considered heresy by the religious leaders of Jesus' day, but even now, many struggle with the idea that there is but one way to God. Jesus says this difficulty of seeing him as Savior and Lord is a product of the world's wisdom, built on pride and the illusion of self-sufficiency. Jesus is the Way to the Father, and the path is open for those who come to him in need. It is these beloved children who see in this gentle and lowly shepherd the true glory of living in the abundant love of God.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matthew 11:25-30⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (NRSV)⁠⁠⁠

If you missed it this season, The Garden's Lent Guide is available for download at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠this link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Additionally, our Good Friday Liturgy is available here. For more resources and ways to connect with us, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thegardensa.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ today.