Rise and Shine

·17 min·1 clip

Why are young people returning to church for community, yet asking 'What's Easter?' about Jesus's death and resurrection?

The episode begins with the host introducing the theme 'rise and shine,' noting its historical use and humorous divide between morning and non-morning people. He explains that the phrase originates from Isaiah in the Old Testament, where 'arise, shine' is spoken centuries before Jesus's birth, and is echoed during Advent. The host connects this to Easter, where Jesus's resurrection involves shining, creating a biblical bookend. He then addresses contemporary trends, observing a decline in church attendance over decades but a recent uptick, especially among young people seeking community. However, he notes that many newcomers lack understanding of Easter's significance. The host delves into the theological reasons for Jesus's death and resurrection, using Lenten decorations of broken mirrors to symbolize human brokenness. He introduces Ben Sass, a native Nebraskan and former president of Midland Lutheran, who is dying of pancreatic cancer and giving interviews to demonstrate faith. A clip from an interview with Peter Robinson of the Hoover Institute is referenced, where Sass discusses the story of Lazarus and the problem of pain, emphasizing that death is the 'last enemy.' The host ties this back to Easter, explaining that Jesus entered brokenness to free people from sin and suffering. He shares a story from author Robert Fulgram about an elderly German man who, as a child in Nazi Germany, shaped a broken mirror into a circle to reflect light into dark places, using it as a metaphor for life's purpose. The sermon concludes with the host distributing compact mirrors with the Sheridan logo, encouraging listeners to reflect Christ's light into the world, and celebrating Easter with the proclamation 'Christ is risen.'

As heard by us

A sermon that turns Easter banter into a case for resurrection, suffering, and ordinary light.

Sheridan Lutheran Church's Rise and Shine builds from a joke about early mornings into an Easter claim about suffering and what Christ carries into the world.

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Why you'd press play

You get Easter morning banter, Lazarus, and a compact mirror with the Sheridan logo in one sermon.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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