Easter 2026

Introduction 

The Challenge of Familiar Easters 

Will This Easter Be Different? 

Stay Open 

Actions Speak Louder Than Words 

• James 1:22 (ESV): 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 

The Gospel 

The Gospel According to Exodus 

Explaining the Symbolism of Exodus 

The Priesthood of All Believers 

• Exodus 3:12 (ESV):12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” 
• Exodus 5:3 (ESV):3 Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please let us go a three-day journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God, lest he fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword.” 
• Exodus 7:16 (ESV):16 And you shall say to him, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, sent me to you, saying, “Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness.” But so far, you have not obeyed. 
• Exodus 19:5–6 (ESV):5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” 

• 1 Peter 2:5 (ESV):5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 
• 1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 

• Revelation 1:4–6 (ESV):4 . . .Grace to you and peace. . .5 . . .from Jesus Christ . . . . To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 
• Revelation 5:9–10 (ESV): 9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” 
• Revelation 20:6 (ESV):6 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such, the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. 

The Example of Dr. Strange 

Jonathan: I’d given up on my body. I thought my mind’s the only thing I have left. I should at least try to elevate that.  So, I sat with gurus and sacred women. Strangers carried me to mountain tops to see holy men. And finally, I found my teacher. And my mind was elevated, and my spirit deepened and somehow. .

Strange: Your body healed.

Jonathan: Yes. And there were deeper secrets to learn there, but I didn’t have the strength to receive them. I chose to settle up for my miracle and came back home.

Strange: When are you going to start telling me what we are?

Wong: While heroes like the Avengers protect the world from physical dangers, we sorcerers safeguard it against more mystical threats

Strange: I’m out. I came here to heal my hands, not to fight in some mystical war

The Supernatural Reality of The Christian Priesthood 

• Ephesians 6:12–13 (ESV):12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 

Israel Shunned God’s Priest Training 

• Exodus 19:7–19 (ESV):7 So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. 8 All the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” And Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord. 9 And the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever.” When Moses told the words of the people to the Lord, 10 the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments 11 and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 And you shall set limits for the people all around, saying, ‘Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death. 13 No hand shall touch him, but he shall be stoned or shot; whether beast or man, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.” 14 So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people; and they washed their garments. 15 And he said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.” 16 On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. 18 Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. 19 And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder. 

• Exodus 20:18–21 (ESV):18 Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off 19 and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.” 20 Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.” 21 The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was. 

The Invitation to Start Your Training