Easter is the season that begins on Easter Sunday and ends on Pentecost.

The historical practice of preachers was to use this season to explain the mysteries of the faith to those recently added to the faithful by baptism at the Easter Vigil. Their preaching (known as the mystagogical catechesis) taught things the mind has difficulty comprehending. It is no surprise that the writings of John have become associated with this period.
-----from Clayton J. Schmit

Please tell us plainly…

1. I did but you didn’t believe

John’s Gospel is all about showing and telling that Jesus is the Messiah.

John 10:11 (NRSV) - I am the good shepherd.

Ezekiel 34:16 (NRSV) - 16 I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak,

2. How can two groups of people see the same signs, hear the same teachings, and one group claims Jesus as “Lord” and the other claims he is a “demon”?

One group wants clarity by looking at a map and actually taking a journey.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NRSV) says that “we walk by faith, not by sight.”

One group embraces the mystery of faith and the other refuses to move beyond what can be seen.

3. How do we embrace the mystery of faith?

1 Corinthians 1:22–23 (NRSV) For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, 23 but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

Through a relationship
I know my people and my people know me. They know my voice and follow. They can never be snatched away from me or the Father.

Faith isn’t built on adherence to a doctrine, creed, or religious practice but a relationship with the Risen Christ who said he is the way, the truth, and the life.