Happy Mother's Day to all of you wonderful mothers and to those who have served as mothers for so many.

On these spring days, we can be so thankful for a sunny day. We know the rain is good, but when the weather is nice and the sun is shining it can feel like life is a little better. Even with all of our modern capacity to create and live in light 24 hours a day, we still know that there is something special about light, especially natural light.

This Sunday Jesus reminds us that he is the light of the world. Even with our wonderful sun, we know that this world can often be shrouded in darkness: natural and man-made. We know that we need a light that is greater than anything we have or can make. We know we need a light that can overcome that darkness. We need a light that leads us back to life. Join me this Sunday when we explore how Jesus is the light of the world.

In a world full of vice and stuff, there is so much we can take in. Do we ever stop to realize that what we take in affects us deeply? We might be somewhat conscious of this as it relates to food. We know that too much fats, sugars, and chemicals can affect our body, mood, mind, and more. Yet the same is true for who we hang out with, what media we are taking in, how we spend our time, and what we find delight in; these have drastic affects on who we are and how we experience the world.

With so many possible things to take in, the only thing that truly feeds us, sustains us, and gives us a full and meaningful life is a deep and close relationship with Jesus Christ. We hear him say, "I am the vine, you are the branches". This speaks to our absolute need to be bound to him, because our life and wholeness depend on him. Moreover, we can only bear the fruit of love, peace, faith, joy, and hope if we are bound to their source. Join us this Sunday when we explore how Jesus is our vine.

Psalm 23 might be one of the most well-known passages in the bible. I remember a few years ago doing services at a nursing home. Most of the people attending couldn't participate much, which was absolutely fine. One day, we read together the 23rd Psalm, and all of a sudden, everyone joined in. As I looked around I saw people with severe dementia suddenly brightening up and joining in. Whether we understand it or not, there is something about this Psalm of David that speaks so true into our hearts.

This Sunday we look at Jesus as he tells us, "I am the good shepherd". We look on this profound and beautiful reality, that Jesus takes us into his fold to protect us and lead us. He is the good shepherd that is willing to do everything, even lay down his life, so that we might find life, wholeness, and bounty. He has always been the one who lays us down in green pastures and leads us beside still water. Even though we will walk through valleys of death and darkness, we know we have nothing to fear for our great shepherd is with us. Join us this Sunday as we explore what it means for Jesus to be the good shepherd and what it means for us to be his flock.

What do we hunger after? In our current reality, there seems to be so much that we can consume. Our grocery stores are full, shops are full of things that can entertain us and cover us, the internet and TV are full of things to keep us engaged, and there are countless experiences just a drive or flight away. Yet, no matter what we consume or seek after, we always find we need more. Even if we feel full for a moment, it doesn't last. It would seem that very little in this world truly satisfies.

This should make us question, "Are we just meant for an endless search and hunger for things that don't fill us, which will eventually end with our end? - Are we just fickle like the things we consume? Or are we meant for something greater, a greater food, a great sustenance, a greater life?" Jesus tells us, "I am the bread of life". He is the true food that will fill, sustain and extend our lives into eternity. He is the only food that lasts and that is far greater than anything else this world offers. Jesus is trying to give us all this rich and lasting food, but we all need to seek after, take in, chew and digest the life that comes from Jesus alone.

We have entered through death into life. We call Good Friday good, because it truly is. Even with all the suffering that Jesus endures, even with the utter abandonment that He experienced, even with the horrendous way he dies, even though he is innocent of any crime - it is still a good day.

Jesus was tortured and killed on that cross because he chose to. He loves us so much, he desires a relationship with us, he wants to change us into people that can receive God's love and kingdom so much that he was willing to endure the worst torture humanity could devise - so that we might die with him and be transformed into his life.

There were those who hurled abuses at Jesus on the cross, saying "you who said tear down this temple and I will build it up in three days, save yourself" or "Come down off of that cross and then we will believe". Jesus did exactly these things. He answered their ridicules, he lived into their mock praise and he became the King lifted up, but it was by our sin. He showed Himself to be the suffering servant, the truly worthy king that does it all so that we could go with him, become like him and share in the glory that his work achieved. We too can enter through his death into an eternal and glorious life.