By the Rev. Micah Krey
Revised Common Lectionary reflection for Easter Sunday, Year C
April 20, 2025
Key Verse: Acts 10:39a – “We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem.”
Easter is not just the culmination of the liturgical year’s most dramatic arc — it is also the launching point for resurrection living. At the heart of every Easter proclamation lies a call to witness. Peter’s speech in Acts 10 boldly proclaims the core of our stewardship: we are entrusted with the story of Christ’s death and resurrection, and we are to carry it into the world. “We are witnesses,” Peter says, not just to the resurrection, but to the life Jesus lived, the people he healed, the justice he proclaimed, and the community he gathered.
The stewardship theme here is unmistakable. We are called not merely to believe the resurrection but to embody it — to live as people whose lives are shaped by resurrection hope, courage, and generosity. This hope is not a private possession but a communal calling. The tomb is empty, and now the work begins. The resurrection isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of a life offered back to God and neighbor.
The resurrection shifts the economy of everything. If death no longer has the final word, then neither does fear, scarcity, or hopelessness. In Luke’s Gospel, the women at the tomb become the first stewards of this new reality. Though their testimony is initially dismissed as “an idle tale,” they remain faithful to their calling. They proclaim what they have seen, even when others are not yet ready to believe. Stewardship of the resurrection begins here: with ordinary people who carry an extraordinary message of life in the face of death.
Psalm 118 echoes this same truth in worshipful song: “I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord.” What does it mean to live in such a way that we recount — not just with words but with lives shaped by the story of God’s grace and power? This kind of stewardship isn’t transactional — it’s transformational. It is about how we steward our testimony, our relationships, our courage, and even our doubts. It’s about holding fast to the truth that “This is the day that the Lord has made,” and choosing to live into joy, even when life feels uncertain.
For our preaching, we can emphasize that resurrection stewardship means offering our whole selves — our time, our voices, our money, our passion — for the sake of the risen Christ and the healing of the world. The good news is not something to be hoarded. It’s not ours to control or contain. Instead, we are stewards of a movement that has already broken open the grave. As Peter tells Cornelius and his household, the resurrection is for all people, not just for insiders or the “already convinced.” The story belongs to the world—and we are entrusted to carry it forward.
Easter reminds us that we are not only stewards of what we have, but also of what we hope for. We are called to live now as if death has already been defeated—because in Christ, it has. We are called to proclaim, with our words and lives, that love is stronger than hate, and that generosity has more power than greed. The tomb is empty. Life has begun again. Now is the time to live like it.
In Worship
Easter worship is inherently rich with stewardship themes. Resurrection itself is a gift we neither earn nor control, but one we are called to share. Lean into this theme with joyful music, vibrant colors, and visual symbols of new life: flowers, butterflies, or an empty tomb. Consider inviting worshipers to bring something that represents resurrection in their own lives — photos, prayers, or objects that symbolize transformation — and place them around the worship space as part of the offering.
Liturgical language can also emphasize our response to God’s gift: not just receiving the good news but being sent as witnesses. Include commissioning language in the sending, reminding worshippers that Easter joy is not meant to stay in the sanctuary. Let the whole service embody the movement from death to life, from fear to proclamation, from scarcity to abundance. This is the day the Lord has made—let us rejoice and let us live it.
Worship with Youth
Youth is a season of questioning, growing, and often wrestling with what resurrection really means. Easter is an ideal time to help them see that resurrection isn’t just about what happened to Jesus, but about the new life God calls us into now. Invite them into a conversation about what feels “dead” in the world or in their lives — climate fear, gun violence, friendship struggles, anxiety — and then talk about how the resurrection gives us a different lens. What does it mean to be stewards of hope? You might use music, such as “Rise Up” by Andra Day or “Glorious” by Macklemore, as entry points into conversations about transformation of our lives. Consider a journaling or creative exercise: “Where have you seen resurrection in your life or the world?” Encourage them to see themselves as Easter people, not just spectators at the empty tomb, but active witnesses and co-creators of the new life God is bringing into the world.
Worship with Children
For the youngest members of the congregation, create an interactive activity that connects the resurrection to stewardship. Start by holding up a small, simple plant — perhaps a potted flower or a sprout — and explain that just like Jesus came back to life, this plant is growing and coming to life too. Ask the children, “What do plants need to grow?” (Water, sunlight, care).
Explain that just like we care for plants and animals, God wants us to care for the world, each other, and the life around us. The resurrection is about new life, and we’re called to help take care of that life in all the ways God provides—whether it’s caring for the earth, helping others, or sharing love.
End with a short prayer, asking God to help everyone care for the gifts God has given them, and to help spread love and new life wherever they go.
Previous reflections for Easter Sunday, Year C:
2019 – Reliable witnesses?
2016 – An idle tale and unlikely evangelists
2013 – Here, there & everywhere: Jesus is risen!
2010 – Dawn of the resurrected dead
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