The ending of a story is crucial in determining the meaning of the story. If Romeo had simply not panicked and committed suicide, both he and Juliet would have gone on to live happy, joy-filled lives. If Gollum had not bitten the ring off of Frodo’s finger and fallen into the fires of Mt. Doom, the dark Lord Sauron would have regained the ring and the unquenchable power that went with it.

As humans, it is very important for us to understand history and where we fit into it. Every one of us has a basic need to know the meaning of the story of history.

I hate to be late.

I don’t mind so much if others are—things come up. That’s understandable and we all have to be gracious and patient.

It’s no big deal.

A family emergency? That’s quite a different thing. We’ll leave immediately and head to the one we love. We’ll get there as soon as we possibly can. We’ll dodge traffic, speed, and might even go through a red light or two to get there.

One thing we wouldn’t do is delay. We wouldn’t get distracted or forget. If it’s urgent and immediate, then it’s the priority. We go. Fast.

The disciples did not understand the scriptures and did not expect the resurrection, and yet we have the hope of the resurrection.

The resurrection gives purpose and value to our labor. All our efforts to alleviate suffering, show compassion, advance justice, combat corruption, educate for virtue, and create opportunity are never in vain. Never. Why? Because Jesus Christ has risen. He lives and reigns, and in due time he will make the world over.

It’s still dark. The air is cool. There’s not a sound. It’s peaceful here—and beautiful. The large gnarled trees form a canopy over the well-trodden paths.

The sun would soon throw its brilliant rays across this rocky ground and illumine the mountainside.

A huge stone had been rolled across the entrance of the tomb two days earlier. This grave must be sealed—not to prevent a resurrection but to guard against an insurrection. To stop ardent disciples from stealing the body and claiming he’d come back to life. Guards had been dispatched to stand watch.

Last night was the beginning of Passover – the night the Jewish people all over the world celebrate their deliverance from Egypt and the night that the death angel passed over them. They will celebrate for seven days – the Feast of Unleavened Bread - to commemorate where they had to hastily obey God and leave Egypt…

When we started this ministry in December, we started with a word from Romans 13:11 – “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. Now it is high time for us to awake out of sleep…” I don’t think I completely understood what that meant for our hour of history, but I knew…