The Morning After

My only regret yesterday was that I ate too much desert.

But I was with family, and we laughed around the table. Earlier, my pastor reminded me about the overcoming Christ who gave His life blood for me and the rest of humankind.

For me, He died; for me, He lives!

In a time of increasing skepticism and biblical ignorance, I get to view the story of the resurrection with fresh eyes. I can ask the Lord to disturb the numbing that can come with familiarity or ignorance.

Lord Jesus, my Savior, deliver me from dullness of heart or imagination. Infuse faith into familiarity and give me joy from freshly discovering the power of Your cross and resurrection.

My best words lack the eloquence Your eternal gift evokes. Build on our recent celebrations of Your resurrection and live on in us with resurrection power.

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1 Peter 1:3, NIV)

With your Easter celebration still fresh in your mind, take a look at your life and the mind scrambling evidence of Christ's resurrection.

So what?

Power of Messiah's Resurrection

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My first encounter with Ron DiCiani's work was in a bookstore at Christmas. I spotted his painting of Simeon, eye's heavenward, tears streaming, holding the baby Jesus. I gazed at it and my own eyes pooled with fresh recognition of "Simeon'sMoment."

As you follow this link, perhaps Holy Spirit will give you fresh eyes so you can ponder the power of the resurrection.

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. (Acts 4:33, NIV)

Now, you might take time to read that verse in context and ask the resurrected Lord Jesus to reveal some new nugget.

Risen Indeed!

“He’s risen indeed!” we joyfully would reply to our Mother’s energetic “Christ is risen!”on Easter morning. Years later, we still use the same greeting every Easter Sunday.

A greeting like no other, it rings clear joy.

When our children were young, we arranged baskets with pastel papered chocolates, candy, and a stuffed toy for them to find when they awoke. Between the baskets we placed a standing cross made from twigs tied together. It was a keeper from a table decoration at church, and I hoped it made a visual link to the real meaning behind the gifts.

Chocolate bunnies, hidden eggs, new shoes, and special family gatherings all helped make Easter special. But the joyful reality of Christ’s resurrection in my life first came as I observed my mother live like she personally knew this risen Jesus. I watched her listen for His voice in the Bible, heard her pray, and saw how, despite being a single mom, she constantly helped others. As they say, learning to trust Jesus is often “caught not taught,” and I too learned to love my Savior and Friend.

It is not mere tradition that I celebrate. When one tough hard boiled egg wins the egg war, or children's eyes sparkle with discoveries, the joy I feel has deeper roots. When I sing triumphantly “Up from the grave He arose,” or hear a young teen’s solo about a life touched by the risen Christ, the reality of the resurrection resonates deep within. I nod gratefully. Yes. My Savior is alive. I am proof.

Our grown children called this morning. “Christ is risen!” they declared. We vigorously responded, “He is risen indeed!”


For Your Consideration

What engages your heart on Resurrection Sunday?

How does Christ make a difference in your life regardless of your circumstances?