The Season of Easter
Did you know that Easter is actually 50 days long? We go all out on Easter Sunday morning to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, and the celebration is too fantastic to keep to one day. As a church, during these 50 days, we ask ourselves this question: “So what?” So what, that Jesus rose from the dead? If our lives are not changed by this truth, then we are most to be pitied (to paraphrase Paul).
From John’s account, Mary Magdalene was the first evangelist. After he had appeared to her in the garden, Jesus instructed Mary to go and tell his brothers (the disciples) that he had risen and would ascend to be with his Father. Mary goes and announces: “I have seen the Lord!”
After hearing this good news, and when night fell, the disciples locked themselves in the room of a house, for fear of the Jews. Jesus had just broken the bonds of sin and death; Jesus had just defeated our last enemy, yet, the disciples were still locked in fear!
So what does the resurrection mean to us? How will it change our lives? What does it mean that we no longer have to fear death? So what?
I invite us this season to “practice resurrection.” Live without fear of your neighbor who has offended you. Plant a garden and say a little “yes” to the goodness of soil, from which comes our food. Go to someone you spoke a harsh word to and ask to be forgiven. Write a letter to someone you have neglected. Go and tell your neighbors how you have seen the Lord at work here at Mt.Bethel. Practice Resurrection!
Pastor Grace