Easter: Empty Changes Everything
April 5, 2026
In this Easter Sunday message, Pastor Ken brings to a close our Lenten worship and study series, "A Place at the Table." Together, we explore the unexpected reality of the first Resurrection morning. We look on at the women at the tomb and the disciples on the road to Emmaus who were met not with immediate victory, but with confusion and emptiness. We learn why an empty place is not evidence of God's absence, but the first sign of something new. The empty tomb gives us a new meting to our seasons of loss, helping us understand how God works not just through addition, but by removing what doesn't give life to make room for the miraculous power of Resurrection.
Sermon Reflections:
- Pastor Ken suggests that an "empty place" is often the first sign of a new work from God. How does this perspective change how you view a current "empty" or difficult season in your life?
- We often tell the Easter story from the ending (victory), but the first Easter felt like confusion. How can you find hope when you are still in the "middle" of a confusing situation?
- Why do you think it is sometimes necessary for God to "prune" or remove things from our lives that do not give us life, rather than just adding more to them?
- The disciples on the road to Emmaus were walking away from Jerusalem — away from the site of the miracle. Are there areas where you are walking away from hope because of unmet expectations?
- Jesus walked with the disciples even when they were in a "fog" and couldn't recognize him. Where might Christ be present in your life right now, even if he feels hidden?
- If the Resurrection means everyone is welcome at the table, how can you practice radical inclusion and grace in your community this week?