By Ken Foo, Director of Church Life and Leadership, CBOQ
As we move through the season of Lent, churches across our Canadian Baptist family are walking a familiar yet profound journey. Lent invites us to slow down and reflect as we prepare our hearts for the central story of our faith, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In many of our congregations, Lent becomes a time of renewed prayer, repentance, and attentiveness to God’s work in our lives. It is a season that gently calls us to examine our hearts, lay down distractions, and reorient ourselves toward Christ. While our Baptist tradition has not always emphasized the liturgical calendar in the same way as some other Christian traditions, many of our churches have rediscovered the pastoral value of intentionally walking toward Easter.
Lent reminds us that Easter is not simply a celebration that appears suddenly on the calendar. It is the culmination of a journey. It is a journey that takes us through the cross.
As we approach Easter weekend, the story unfolds across three days that continue to shape the life of the church.
On Good Friday, we gather to remember the crucifixion of Jesus. The Gospels tell us that above the cross was a sign that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” What was meant as mockery becomes the central truth of the gospel story. The one hanging on the cross is not merely a teacher or prophet. He is the King. Yet this King does not conquer through force or domination. He reigns through sacrifice. The crown he wears is made of thorns.
Then comes the quiet of Saturday. The disciples did not yet see the victory that was coming. The tomb was sealed. Hope seemed buried. Silent Saturday reminds us that many moments of faith feel like this in between space, when God’s promises are true but we cannot yet see how they will unfold.
And then Easter morning arrives.
The stone is rolled away. The tomb is empty. The angel announces the words that have echoed through the centuries. “He is not here. He has risen.”
The resurrection is God’s declaration that the crucified King lives and that his kingdom cannot be stopped. Death itself could not hold him.
As pastors and church leaders across our denomination prepare to proclaim this good news again, our prayer is that our congregations would not simply hear the Easter story but encounter the risen Christ anew.
The King who died is the King who reigns. And because he lives, the church continues to live in hope, proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ to our communities and our world.
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