This week is the centerpiece of the Christian story. If there is ever a chance for the church to be bold and clear and focused on the death and resurrection of Jesus, this is the week!

But I got a mailer this week from a church inviting me and my family to worship on Easter. The brochure, from a new mission church that had “Culture” as its middle name, had an egg hunt and the Easter Bunny featured and some things about fun and family friendly and a great breakfast. But the flyer did not even mention Jesus – much less the death and resurrection of Jesus.

I have learned that when I do a Google search for Easter images, I have to include the word “Christian” or all I get is eggs and bunnies. But the fact that our wider culture has reduced the day to that is understandable – most things are more and more secularized and whining about it won’t change it!

But I am increasingly saddened when the church simply decides that bunnies and candy are the point of Easter. Perhaps I am an old curmudgeon when it comes to this, but I want Good Friday to be focused on the amazing fact that God loves us enough to do anything for us (even die for us) and the fact that grace is real and costly. And I want Easter to be focused on the amazing fact that nothing will stop God from loving us (even death won’t deter God) and that the resurrection of Jesus shows us that God’s grace is real and persistent.

This week, many of you who use either the Narrative or the Revised Common lectionaries will be preaching from Matthew 28:1-11. The women in Matthew’s gospel first meet an angel who tells them that Jesus is risen – the start of the good news. But as they leave, they also meet Jesus for themselves – they become more than news bearers – they become firsthand witnesses.

As we focus on Jesus, this is the week to invite people to come and hear the story of a God whose love is costly and persistent. But as people join us, Christ will be in our midst. Be sure to give them whatever you can so they don’t just hear about the risen Christ. Give your people the chance to share where they have met Christ and share their stories of meeting Jesus during the Easter season. And remember, Easter starts on Sunday but the season lasts until Pentecost. Help people tell and listen to each other’s encounters with Christ. Maybe someone else will meet Jesus this Easter as you do!