Easter Brunch for Two

“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love You.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.”

- John 21:15

Easter is an exciting time for the Church. It is easily the most anticipated/celebrated Sunday of the year and feels to have even more significance for us in 2021. Last year we were less than a month into the pandemic and had to shift the resurrection victory party to a virtual platform. So, as we approach this coming Sunday there is a sense of EXPECTATION…or at least there should be, right?

Recently, at a local Pastors prayer meeting, one of the dear brothers shared how many pastors have a sense of low expectation for Easter and beyond. Many are discouraged because attendance numbers are much lower, and they are still unsure who are still with them and who have left the church. In that moment, the Lord caused me to have a different outlook on what’s ahead. Rather, than size being the primary measurement of success and happiness, we need to see the “smaller” with a REMNANT MENTALITY. In the Bible God often chooses a remnant, a smaller number of people to rebuild and to take hold of newness! Psalm 126:1 speaks to the remnant’s high expectation level, “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed.”

So much of how we have done Easter Sunday in the past has been about the size, sights, and making a big splash. There is nothing wrong with making Easter special, doing things with excellence, and inviting a whole bunch off people to a big party for King Jesus. However, we need to make it about more than the decorations, gifts handed out, cool graphics/videos, special music, nice outfits, and church attendance.

I want to suggest that for our first Easter back together we have a simple and profound encounter with the Resurrection reality and victory of Jesus! One of the first things Jesus did following the resurrection was to have an intimate meal with His friends. It was there on the beach that something beautiful and powerful took place for Peter. This was the first time he was with Jesus since denying Him. In this moment Jesus took time to restore Peter…the perfect Easter gift for someone who arrived at this Easter brunch with low expectations and high levels of guilt and shame. Let’s do two things this week to prepare for Jesus’ perfect gift this Easter:

1) Approach this Sunday with a heart to encounter Jesus and the Easter Miracle at a personal level.

2) Ask someone if they would like to attend Easter Sunday Services (8:30 am & 10 am) with you.

This Easter may still feel a bit different and be a lot smaller than previous years, but there is still an opportunity for an intimate connection of love and a profound deposit of life as we experience the Easter miracle in 2021!