In the secular world, Easter is over. Yet in the Christian Church, the season of Easter will continue until we celebrate Pentecost on May 27. From our earliest times, Christians have understood that the power of Easter morning must continue to transform the hearts and lives of all who choose to become Christ’s disciples.

Had the first Christians not been open to the resurrection appearances of the Risen Christ and the leading of the Holy Spirit, Easter might well have been a one-time event involving only a handful of people. But it wasn’t, thanks to the gift of the Holy Spirit that the Risen Christ breathed upon his followers, both male and female, who’d gathered together in one house.

The Spirit allows God’s divine presence to live within and among us. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, shy people become bolder, misers become generous, and non-believers become very committed Christians. There is literally no stopping what the Holy Spirit can do in the lives of Christ’s followers if people are willing to change.

In my opinion, the greatest example of the changed life of one of Christ’s disciples is the story of Peter. It’s not a dramatic conversion story like that of Paul, yet the gradual transformation that took place within Peter is just as powerful a witness to the Easter faith and one most of us can relate to better.

To fully understand the degree of transformation in Peter’s life – a transformation that can also take place in our own lives – we must first understand the length of Simon Peter’s journey. Simon the fisherman was born in Bethsaida, one of the 30 small towns that dotted the shores of the Sea of Galilee during the time of Jesus. The region of Galilee had been Jewish until the fall of the Northern Kingdom. It then fell into Gentile hands for six centuries before Jewish Zealots retook the area and governed it as an independent territory for two decades until 63 B.C., when all of Israel came under Roman rule. The people of Galilee, who’d loved their taste of independence, intensely disliked   Gentiles and the Roman government. Many sympathized with the Zealots, who wanted to forcefully rid Israel of all foreign influence. This background is important because Simon wasn’t a reserved, pious fisherman. Galilean culture tended to produce nationalistic Jews who saw life as having only two sides – their side and the wrong side.

Consequently, Peter’s heart was in the right place as Christ’s disciple, but he “didn’t get it.” He, like the crowds on Palm Sunday, expected a Messiah of the superior political and military power of King David. He denied his Lord 3 times on the night of Jesus’ arrest; he cowered in fear with the other disciples far from the site of the crucifixion. (Only John was present at Golgatha.)

After Jesus breathed the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter emerged as a courageous and persuasive leader of Christ’s followers. This changed man preached in the most public of places with John, healed the sick, and gradually rid himself (and the Church) of long-standing prejudices. He confronted those who’d condemned Jesus and converted many with his bold proclamation of the gospel. He spread Christianity throughout Israel and Asia Minor, spending a great deal of time in the influential city of Antioch, Syria. Tradition says that Peter (like Paul) was martyred in Rome about 66 A.D., during the persecution under Emperor Nero. As he was about to be put to death, he said he was not worthy to die in the same manner as his Lord. He requested to be crucified upside down, insuring a longer and even more painful death than that of Jesus.

God longs to work through us to point others to Christ. Our world is very different than Peter’s but the gospel is the same. The word gospel means “good news.” Whenever we love God and others, whenever we share with others (in actions as well as words) the difference Christ has made in our lives, whenever we live out the gospel in acts of love, generosity, and compassion, we are following in the footsteps of Peter. The power of the resurrection lives on in us.

Because the tomb was empty, our lives are full. How will you share that good news with others?

Children are an important part of the church community at Westminster. We value their unique gifts and treasure their journeys of faith formation. Opportunities are provided for children to grow in their relationship with God through worship, Bible study, community fellowship, and mission outreach.

"We'll be Friends Forever, won't we, Pooh?' asked Piglet.
Even longer,' Pooh answered.”
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Friendship is a slice of our lives that brings such purpose to each and every day. It is a huge part of our kids' lives as they navigate each day and make new friends, lose friends, have a best friend or sometimes struggle to have one good friend. When I was growing up I didn't have alot of friends at school, my church community offered me many friends, many of them years older than me. My church friends, both young and old offered me great support and encouragment. My prayer is that our kids today at Westminster feel the same way about their friends at church. As a Pastor I seek out to call the kids by name, let them know I am their friend and that I'm always ready to give a high five and an encouraging hug. As parents and as a church community may we do all we can to faithfully pray and nurture the children we are so fortunate to know at Westminster.

Last Sunday, we experienced the Baptism of Kaden, a sweet 8 month old who nestled his head into my shoulder as I took him from his Dad. As we began Kaden's Baptism the congregation agreed in unison to pray and nurture Kaden as he grows up at Westminster. This is a commitment we make for each child who is Baptized. I trust it is a commitment we take seriously and I encourage us all to keep finding ways to interact with our kiddos and to in fact be their friends. What will our kids remember about growing up at Westminster? May it truly make a wonderful impact in their lives as they grow in God's love.