Rejoice!

Easter morning brought a full house to morning worship at our church. At least 150 more attended than on the usual Sunday morning. I am sure that the situation was similar in your place of worship. It was a great time of worship with many families sitting together, powerful music, good preaching, and a public profession of faith. But what are we to make of all these additional worshippers? Why don't we see these folks all the time?

Of course, Easter is a special day. There are many worshippers who attend two or three times a month, but most make a special effort to be there on Easter. Some come because it is a family affair. Others may come out of curiosity or a sense of obligation.

So how do we treat these folks? Should we make them feel guilty that they aren't there all the time? Should we take the occasion to exhort them to more regular attendance?

No, we should do what our pastor did this morning: share a message of hope. Where do we find hope? At the entrance to an empty tomb. People need hope not guilt. They need hope not encouragement. They need hope not criticism. I am thankful that so many came to our church (and yours) to a place where the message of hope could be heard.

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