Identity - Week 14

Dear family,

From the moment we are born, we begin the process of life followed by death. Depressing, I know, but true. Throughout life we are hammered with the question of what we are made for, what we are supposed to do, what we are supposed to accomplish ... it seems never to end. No matter who it may be, and regardless of that person's station in life, we are all faced with these questions, not least of which is, "Why am I here, and what am I supposed to do before I die?"

Because it is Palm Sunday, we are departing from the chronology of our series in 1 Corinthians, jumping to chapter 15 of the same book. There are powerful words of encouragement here-words of power and encouragement to all those in Jesus. At the same time, however, they are scary and disquieting, because they teach us that life does not come before death. We do not really live for a while and then die. No, Jesus says that in order to really live, death must occur. That's right. The Gospel of Jesus calls us not to live before we die, but to experience death ... so that we might truly live.

- Lee