The Table: Why it Changes Everything

Jeremy Duncan
Written By Kevin Borst

Sunday, April 27, 2025

Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 11, Luke 22

  • Summary: In this Easter Sunday sermon Jeremy looks at the story at the centre of the Christian tradition, Jesus’ death and resurrection. John’s gospel presents a Passion narrative that exposes the structures of violence in our world and shows us that Christ’s salvation is personal and for everyone.

    Easter: Mortality is at the heart of the Easter story, but the irrevocable nature of sacrifice makes Easter hard to grasp and talk about. The unsatisfying answers that have been offered to explain why the events of Easter had to happen can leave us confused or even feeling misled.

    Did Jesus have to die because God was mad? Jeremy guides us to pay close attention to Jesus’ words in John. Easter is the moment of God’s judgement, when our violence and brokenness are held up in front of us for all to see; judgement is not some retribution that comes at the “pearly gates.”

    Instead, Jesus was and is committed to driving out the power that we have constructed around ourselves. That is, our systems and structures of violence. On the cross, Jesus makes these fully visible so that they might lose their power in our world. Much like a seed needing to die before new life can grow, Jesus knew he needed to die in order to inaugurate a new reality and ultimately “draw all people to himself,” giving space to enter “new futures” of hope and life.

  • Community is shaped by the conversations we share. These questions and reflections are a tool to help you meaningfully engage with the themes of this week's teaching.

  • CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 42

    MUSIC Curated by Rebecca Santos
    Cody Carnes - Firm Foundation
    Elevation Worship - Sure Been Good
    Brandon Lake - Gratitude
    Brooke Ligertwood - Holy Song

    EASTERTIDE PRAYER FOR RESURRECTION PASSION
    Written by Bobbi Salkeld

    The Christian calendar rolls from Lent into Eastertide. While Lent was 40 days of fasting and introspection, Eastertide is 50 days of celebration and observation. 

    In Eastertide, we attune our spiritual sensibilities to life in all its joyful forms. 

    So today, we’ll pray an Eastertide Prayer for Resurrection Passion. What we’re doing is shifting our experience in the world away from cynicism and despair toward delight and transformation. 

    Let us pray. 

    Resurrected Christ, together with you, 
    We pause to consider: deep joy. 
    For the memories of loved ones, 
    For the thrill of past adventures, 
    For the simplicity of small delights that make us who we are.

    May we see in deep joy, 
    The Spirit’s work to clarify our passions into their truest form. 

    Resurrected Christ, together with you, 
    We pause to consider: life-giving change. 
    For the new ideas that shift our thinking,
    For a fresh season we can feel just beginning, 
    For bodies that adapt and require tender care.

    May we see in life-giving change,
    The Spirit’s work to reshape our passions toward their truest form. 

    Resurrected Christ, together with you, 
    We pause to consider: Easter’s confidence. 
    For the trust we have that love never dies,
    For the mystery of your divine endlessness, 
    For the intimate care you offer each of us by name.

    May we see in Easter’s confidence,
    The Spirit’s work to bring all creation into its truest form. 

    Amen. 

    SERIES BUMPER
    Strange New World

Kevin Borst
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