It’s been one of those weeks.  Aren’t they all?  From wrestling with some questions I have for God to helping my daughter with a college paper on the exegesis of Ephesians; from a report of cancer to an invitation to a wedding, from a lacrosse game to working on an outline for an Easter sermon, from decisions about fostering children to decisions about capital campaigns — just one of those weeks.

The closest I’ve come to letting the truths of Easter touch my soul have been in the writing of a blog post and in the pondering of John 11 for this weekend’s sermon.  But on the other hand those were just assignments, not deep dives into the grace of Easter.

Then last night it hit me, or at least it started.  We (Calvary) have a tradition of celebrating Maundy Thursday during Easter Week — it’s an evening focusing on communion and the night Jesus redefined the Passover as a celebration of God’s — not just past but — future grace.  I had a very minor role in the evening, no leadership, so I could simply participate.

We got there a bit late — Jake’s lacrosse game in Lewisburg — so it was taking me awhile to be present, you know be in the moment.  From yelling on the sidelines, to speeding on 192, to a worship service, I wasn’t really in the moment.

Then it hit me.  We started singing a song I’ve sung a thousand times.  Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.  I once was lost but now I’m found was blind but now I see. The words came out my mouth and grace came crashing in.  Wonderful Amazing Grace.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I like to think I can earn my way in life.  Sometimes I’m so focused on what I believe I need to do, to measure up, to have success, to be loved.  Then grace comes crashing in.  Don’t need to earn it.  Couldn’t live up to it.  Don’t deserve it.  Yet it comes.  Lavish, Abundant, Delightful, Wonderful, Holy Amazing Grace comes crashing in.

Easter weekend at Calvary, we are pondering together the story of Lazarus.  Lazarus died.  Jesus came.  Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb.  Lazarus lived.  Grace came crashing into a tomb and Lazarus lived.  You know what I know?  If you ever run into someone who has experienced a resurrection — it’s a pretty good bet that they didn’t have much to do with it.

Grace came crashing in.  I have a feeling there will be a moment for many of us in the coming days, where God’s grace comes crashing in.  When it does and you hear Jesus call your name… it’s time to come out of the tomb.