Easter Vigil: Do Not Fear

Exodus 14:15 - 15:1

Pastor Scott McAnally

All around the world on this day as the sun sets, communities of faith will gather around a fire and keep watch, holding a vigil. From a small fire, congregations will re-light their paschal candle (the big baptismal candle) and process into a darkened sanctuary, with the shadows of Good Friday still lingering. And under the light of the baptismal promise, up to 12 stories will be told of God’s remarkable activity in the lives of the people of the Old Testament.

Our text today is one of those stories. The story of the Red Sea Crossing is one of the most miraculous stories of scripture. But to get a full reading of it, I urge you to read it beginning with verse 1 of chapter 14. Pharaoh is in hot pursuit. The Exodus journey is losing its ‘newness’ as the days go on and the travel begins to wear on some of the Israelites. Some begin to look back at Egypt, fearing the unknown journey ahead…some even wish for the days of slavery, because at least they had a roof over their head and three square meals a day. And who could blame them? Following God often entails leaving what’s comfortable and stepping out in faith…and the good news my friends is that as God parted the Red Seas, God doesn’t forsake you. God never asks you to do anything that God hasn’t done already.

Faith journeys have lots of twists, turns, and bumps in the road. Mine certainly has. Sometimes I even feel as though there have been some switch-backs and u-turns. Yet the promise as revealed in Exodus, and in all of the 12 lessons read in the Easter Vigil Liturgy, is that God is with me…and God will deliver me. And God is with you. God delivers you…so step out in faith, know that you are loved, claimed, saved, and forgiven.

PRAYER: Eternal giver of life and light, this holy night shines with the radiance of the risen Christ. Renew your church with the Spirit given to us in baptism, that we may worship you in sincerity and truth and may shine as a light in the world, through your Son, Jesus Christ out Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.