Last night I tried to evoke our imaginations to picture ourselves as someone close to Jesus during this week leading up to Easter. He spoke a lot of confusing things about him having to go away and that the disciples will mourn him, and it’s hard to really imagine how they felt because, of course, we know what he’s talking about. But they didn’t. And so I really want you to try to forget what you know about Jesus’ death and resurrection this week and try to live in that unease and unrest of not knowing what’s coming, but knowing that something scary is around the corner.

I spoke to a few people after the service last night and had some really good conversations. Two stood out in particular, though. One person is going through a pretty scary time right now, and is living in this uneasy time of knowing, but not knowing. However, they also live in the truth and the hope of Christ Jesus. They weren’t even going to come to church last night, but felt prompted to go (probably by the Holy Spirit. that’s my guess) and was glad they did. God had something profound to tell this person – you (we) are not alone.

I think it’s significant to realise that we’re not alone in times like these where we face confusion and despair. The disciples all had each other, and the importance of that should not be overlooked. You have your friends, and hopefully you have your family, but if nothing else, you have your church family! And at the Living Room, our community is small enough and unique enough, I think, to really be there for one another when called upon, proving that none of us are alone. With Christ in each of us, each time we are with someone who’s scared or hurting, that means that Christ is with them too, through us. We need not to forget this!

I’m reminded of a very cool, yet old song (perhaps that’s why it’s cool, actually) called “Like a Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon and Garfunkle. It’s been covered many times – one of my favourites is done by Johnny Cash and Fiona Apple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBPw4grUvW8)

The “Bridge” represents Jesus, but i think it can/should also represent the Church. The Church is called to be a “bridge over troubled water;” a save place to lead you, guide, and carry you during the hard times so you don’t have to be alone.

The other conversation I had was around the challenge to wrestle with these emotions of fear, anxiety, confusion, and such just as the disciples did. It’s so easy to always look forward to Easter and celebrate the resurrection and Christ’s defeat of death and what that means for us, but don’t look past Friday and Saturday! Take your time during the weekend to soak in the loneliness and sadness of the disciples during those days. Then, when Easter comes, the celebration will be that much more joyous! You may develop a new perspective on a Holy holiday that, for many, has just become a ritual celebration – and that’s probably because we don’t often spend time in the darkness, as the disciples did.

This person said they were really going to try to imagine the struggle and wrestle with those emotions, drawing on real life memories and moments of pain, despair, and confusion. When we live in those moments and give them up to God in our helplessness, the joy is that comes means so much more, because we’ve tasted defeat, we’ve tasted despair and loss, BUT we’ve also tasted hope!

So, as hard as it might be, don’t overlook the bleak hole of despair that is Friday and Saturday, but dwell in it as the disciples and family and loved ones of Jesus had to. And when you come face to face with Jesus on Sunday morning, I PROMISE YOU, you will feel that joy, perhaps like you’ve never felt it before!

Blessings. Shalom.

-jonathan