When the party is over

Resurrection Day brought all kinds of energy to ‘church.’   The sanctuary was full.  We sang exuberantly, declaring our hope of life eternal.  And that is as it ought to be. Now,  is ‘the day after.’ Everybody has gone home, the music is still, the decorations will be stored away today.  Now what? 

Two disciples were walking outside of Jerusalem, on the road to Emmaus on the day after. The crucifixion had drained them of all hope.  Jesus, the One who filled them with dreams and hope, died on a Roman cross in disgrace.  All those dreams of a new Kingdom died with him.  While they walked they were trying to make sense of the weekend’s tragic events.  How had an entry in Jerusalem filled with shouts of “Hosanna,” kingly greetings, turned into a hateful scene in Pilate’s courtyard where people screamed, “Crucify Him!”? 

Let’s pick up Luke’s story - "As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?” They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.”

“What things?” Jesus asked. “The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago. “Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.”  (Luke 24:15-24, NLT)  The report of the Resurrection was already circulating, but it was being rejected.  Everybody knew that dead meant dead.  Yes, there was an empty tomb and stories of angels who said He was alive, but… well, who could  believe such things?

Later, over dinner, the Man offered prayer and broke the loaf of bread and they realized it was HIM! “Jesus quoted passages from the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining what all the Scriptures said about himself.”  (24:27) He encouraged them, then as suddenly as He came, He was gone! But, they were changed and they headed back to Jerusalem with yet another amazing story about the Risen Lord.

On this day after, are you tending to discount the reports?  As you hear echoes of “Christ, the Lord, is risen today…” are setting the wonder aside for another year until Easter rolls around again?  I suggest a different choice today.  In prayer and meditation, go back again to the Story. Think it through. The second look will provide greater clarity.  Ask, ‘what does this mean for my life now?’ 

The Resurrection is the cornerstone of our hope.  Because He lives, we will live also. That supernatural event turns a story about a kind Teacher into a compelling Gospel of a Living Lord.  "If all we get out of Christ is a little inspiration for a few short years, we’re a pretty sorry lot. But the truth is that Christ has been raised up, the first in a long legacy of those who are going to leave the cemeteries.There is a nice symmetry in this: Death initially came by a man, and resurrection from death came by a man. Everybody dies in Adam; everybody comes alive in Christ." (The Message 1 Corinthians 15:19-22)

Fifty days after the Resurrection, at the Feast of Pentecost, God, the Holy Spirit, fell on the disciples and the rest is history!  "Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." (Acts 2:43-47, NIV)  On this day after, let’s not settle back to the routine.  Instead, let’s invite a new Pentecost.  Lord, pour out Your Spirit on us!  Fill us with the power to take your good news to our world.  May  Your kingdom be born anew in us, we pray. Amen.

Let’s live what we celebrated.

_______________

10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)

The sun comes up

it's a new day dawning

It's time to sing Your song again

Whatever may pass
and whatever lies before me

Let me be singing
when the evening comes

You're rich in love
and You're slow to anger

Your name is great
and Your heart is kind

For all Your goodness
I will keep on singing

Ten thousand reasons
for my heart to find

Bless the Lord
O my soul, O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

And on that day
when my strength is failing

The end draws near
and my time has come

Still my soul
will sing Your praise unending

Ten thousand years
and then forevermore

Worship Your holy name

Lord, I'll worship Your holy name

Jonas Myrin | Matt Redman

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