Church can hurt.
Christopher Myers explores this fact in a recent CT article. Those three words may feel uncomfortable to read, much less to take time to ponder. It may seem especially disconcerting to note on Easter weekend when the triumph of Jesus over sin and death warrants glorious celebration.
In truth, this weekend is the perfect time to acknowledge the wounds that the sinners who make up the church have inflicted on one another.
Why? How? By looking to the crucified Jesus.
“The church was born from a wound,” writes Myers. “The early church saw the last Adam hanging heavy on the cross in the sleep of death, but from his side, his wound, a new Eve was brought forth—the church. Born as we are from that wound, the church journeys with Christ through Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday. In his passion is our own path and our own healing.”
As we observe, mourn, and celebrate throughout these meaningful next few days, may we recognize that Jesus’ sacrifice is great enough to hold our pain and that of others. And may we pray that the church will be an agent of healing, mirroring Christ.
