In the midst of life's challenges and demands, we dream of rising above it all. Jesus' ascension is not a rising above it all in order to move beyond it all. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus still dwells in, with, and among his people even as we look forward to his coming again.

God comes down to us to make all things new, freeing His creation from the corruption of sin

Our crucified and risen Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, is called both the Lamb and the Shepherd in the final book of Scripture (Revelation 7:17). The One who is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), is also the Good Shepherd who has laid down his life for the sake of his sheep (John 10:11). The Lamb is the Shepherd!

In response to Jesus' victory, we give voice to praise of the Lamb who was slain to set us free from sin

Daring to believe in a crucified and risen Savior is no small thing. Throughout the history of the Christian Church, people have dared to believe in that which they cannot see with their own eyes. We walk by faith, trusting in Jesus' words to Thomas that

Through Jesus' cross and empty tomb, there's hope for the future

Facing his own cross on the night in which he was betrayed, Jesus instituted what we call the Lord's Supper. Facing denial from all of his disciples, Jesus feeds them and washes their feet. Like those first disciples, we also are guity of denying the One who suffered and died for us. But there is mercy and grace to help in time of need for feeble and fickle disciples like us. The Lord Jesus comes to us under bread and wine to give us forgiveness, life and salvation.

As he entered into Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday, Jesus did not back away from the road that was before him - the road of betrayal and rejection, the road of suffering and death. Jesus faced the road that was before him and endured the cross in order that we might be saved. Trusting in him, as we face the road that is before us in our own lives, whatever that road may be, we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

Jesus confronts both suffering endured and suffering inflicted