Weekly Word | April 22, 2026
Resurrection Has a Name
Yes, it has the name Jesus—the name above all others. But it’s known by other names, too. Not names above all others, but given names, nonetheless.
From the women who first arrived at the empty tomb to the disciples who followed, resurrection is known by names like Mary Magdalene and Salome. Names like Peter, John, James, and Thomas.
And with each name, there’s a particular and beautiful story—about how the risen Christ met them right in the middle of their everyday lives. Right in the middle of their fear, their confusion, their grief and loss, their longing—their longing to be seen, to be known, to be loved. A story they told to others, who then retold that same story to others.
On and on it goes.
And so here we are, centuries later. Resurrection still has names attached to it. Still carried in stories as diverse as the people who live them.
Names like Bill, Helen, and Kenny.
Like Shaniqua, José, and Maria.
Like Yousef, Li, and Lisa.
People you know. People I know.
Most we don’t.
People who have been met—somewhere along the way—by God’s unkillable love and life.
People who have found their way from death to life,
from difficult endings to unexpected beginnings,
from “this is how it will always be” to “maybe something new is possible,”
from cynicism to hope,
from resentment to forgiveness,
from smaller ways of living to larger, more spacious ways of loving.
Not perfect people.
But changed people.
Changing people.
And maybe that’s where this meets us. Right in the middle of our own unfinished stories. Because resurrection isn’t just something we believe in. It’s something we begin to live.
In the quiet shifts within us—of heart, of perspective—we begin to feel. In the small courage it takes to try again. In the moments we loosen our grip on what was and open our hands to what might be.
Resurrection has a name.
Your name.
And mine.
And on and on it goes—still unfolding, even now.
Much love,
Pastor Gregg
