On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
Pastor Mike McCoy
Vineyard Christian Fellowship (Concord)
Every Easter Sunday, we would go to my motherinlaw’s house for dinner. Upon arriving, Margie would call out to us, “HE is risen!” Our expected and joyfully given response would be, “HE is risen indeed!” This ancient call and response is being uttered throughout the world today by those who follow the risen Lord and King – Jesus of Nazareth. In the reality of this proclamation lie the invitation and the challenge of the risen Jesus.
