Easter Vigil 2026

Transcript

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Is the bridegroom delayed? Will we become sleepy and drowsy? The lights darken the church? I mean, it's kind of almost nappable, isn't it? The sun failed to give its light. All was darkness. In the middle of this death and darkness came the cry. Here's the bridegroom. Come out to meet him. So watch. Keep vigil. There's no rush. No one-hour photo Jesus tonight. Instead, sit. Come and go as you need to. Listen to the story. Take time to hear. For it's a long story, but a story worth telling. And it's worth listening to. From nothing your God created you. Out of death, God has brought life. From good and very good to fallen, very fallen and flooded, to made new and restored. God's promise of life reigns. He has chosen you, not out of any merit or worthiness in you, but out of his grace and mercy. The pillar of fire this night, Christ the light of the world, has brought you through the waters. He has sprinkled clean water on you and washes your uncleanness away. He has joined you to himself, his cross, his death, his resurrection, his life. He will feed you in this wilderness with bread from heaven that will satisfy and sustain you. You are his people. He cares for you. He has promised your entry into the joys of the new creation. Who would have thought that our predicament would have been solved in such a way? Why would the Lord relent of the just condemnation and destruction that we deserve? Well, God's thoughts and ways aren't ours. His are higher. We can't ascend into heaven, but the Word of God Christ Jesus has descended. He took on our flesh, suffered, and died. Jesus Christ has succeeded in our stead. He won't return to his Father empty handed. The pillar of fire, the light of Christ, has put his spirit in us, given us new hearts, and with albeit maybe smaller flames lit, but at least it's his flame, we follow where our Lord leads. And even if it's really, really dark. We follow him even into the fiery furnace of death itself and sing the new song of resurrection celebration. God has promised life from the most unexpected places and for a most unexpected people, you and me. The light of the world, Christ, leads you to the place he has prepared for you as his people. This is the vigil you keep. You listen to the Lord and hear what he has done for you. You hear Christ and His victory for you. And so God tells you who you are in Christ. There's nothing short and quick about this story. Your story is God's story for you, and you'll sing of it in the joys of the new creation, for the lamb who was slain has begun his reign. Sounds like we may have ordered in fireworks, huh? Why not? No one hour hustle, and that's how long we'll tolerate this history in heaven. There's only life and joy forevermore. Tonight, as heaven and earth listens, revels, and rejoices in Christ, death and hell rage. They've lost. They've been abolished, mocked, slain, defeated, and shackled. Not one believer in Christ remains dead in the tomb, for Christ, having risen from the dead, has become the first fruits of them that sleep. To him be the glory and dominion forever. Amen.