An Easter Devotion 

This Sunday, Christians around the world will celebrate the defining event of all of history: The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The readings from the Gospels capture the confusion of the morning of that “third day”: The women who bring spices to the tomb of Jesus – expected to find there a dead body – are “terrified” and “alarmed” at the angel’s report (Mark 16:5, 8). Even at the ascension 40 days later, some of the disciples “doubted” (Matt. 28:17). Peter, upon seeing the empty tomb, “marveled” (Luke 24:12) and the two followers of Jesus on the road to Emmaus were “slow of heart to believe (Luke 24:25).

How could it possibly be that someone rose from the dead? Even though Jesus three times had said that in Jerusalem he would suffer, die, and rise from the dead (Mark 8:31; 9:30-32; 10:32-34), the disciples did not understand in those first hours and days. Some twenty-five years later, when the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, there was still confusion and uncertainty about both Jesus’ resurrection and what that meant for those in Christ: “how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?” (1 Cor. 15:12). After the resurrection, at least some of the disciples even went back to their old lives, fishing on the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-3).

Yet the uncertainty about Christ’s resurrection and its significance for all those in Christ and indeed all of creation gave way to confidence: “My Lord and my God” exclaims Thomas in the upper room (John 20:28). And Paul addresses the church in Rome with this confidence in the first lines of his letter: “He was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 1:4).” Indeed, a few chapters later Paul confidently reminds them that righteousness “will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification” (Romans 4:24-25).

Remarkably, the fear and uncertainty of the disciples gave way to confidence and hope, not only for the disciples themselves but to bring that good news to all people. Gerald Bray writes in his brief survey of the history and theology of “church” writes:

Only a very powerful countervailing factor could have overcome [the disciples’] natural desire to get back to normal (as they would have seen it), and that factor was the bodily resurrection of Jesus from the dead. When the disciples saw the risen Christ, all doubt vanished, and from then on they were committed to the mission of spreading the gospel that Jesus had entrusted to them. During the forty days that Jesus remained on earth after his resurrection, he reminded them of what he had taught and explained the deeper meaning of his life and death. He commissioned them for their future mission and told them to wait patiently at Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit should come and give them the power to accomplish it. (The Church, p. 32).

The resurrection of Jesus and hope in him resulted in the disciples, now empowered by the Holy Spirit, making a “commitment to the mission of spreading the gospel.”

And from there, over these past 2000 years, generation after generation has made a commitment to the mission of spreading the Gospel. For “God desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth,” (1 Tim. 2:4) and as the Father sent Jesus, so he sends us (John 20:21). May your celebrations of the victory that Jesus Christ has won lead to even more people to call upon Jesus as Lord, and so become a part of his holy and righteous people.

The last verse of the Apostle Paul’s great chapter on the resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15, ends with the encouragement to continue the work of God’s mission, faithfully and continuously, because our labor in Christ has impact through the Gospel: “As a result, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, be immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor is not useless in the Lord” (1 Cor 15:58). May God bless the work of his church in sharing this good news of Jesus Christ with all people.

Information Session: Transition from Certificate to Master's Degree Program

Many people who are interested in the biblical, reformational, missional, global, and affordable degree programs offered by CMPL and the Institute of Lutheran Theology have a certificate in theology and are interested in continuing education leading to an academic degree. ILT offers three degree programs that offers outstanding teaching in an accessible way to make it possible to earn an accredited degree and continue to grow in service to Christ, his people, and his world. Two information sessions will be offered after Easter: Monday April 21, 8:00 pm eastern time, and Friday, April 25, 11:00 am eastern. Dr. Jeffrey Kloha, dean of CMPL, and David Patterson, registar of ILT, will be on hand to explain the programs, options for completion, transfers of credits from accredited institutions, and delivery. To participate please send an email to .

Bible, Theology, and Leadership Workshops

CMPL has received numerous requests for workshops and seminars, which would be made available to congregations, congregational leadership, and interested individuals. Requested topics have including biblical interpretation, Lutheran theology, and missional leadership. Details and offerings will be announced soon. If you have a topic suggestion or to express interest please contact us at .