The day after Easter

I wrote this post for our church blog as a followup to my Easter message, which you can view/listen to here.

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It's Monday. The day after Easter. My suit and ties (I wore three ties yesterday - a different one for each service; only 6-7 people noticed 😂) are back in my closet. There are delicious leftovers from our late Easter lunch in the fridge. The church is quiet today because we gave the staff the day off.

Though the Easter "event" is over, the Easter reality gloriously continues. In some ways, the wonder and joy of Jesus' resurrection is more vibrantly real to me today than it was on a packed day of exuberantly being the church together was yesterday. You see, I woke this morning like you did - AGAIN. (if you're reading this, then yes, you woke up) And it's this "again-ness" that's glorious.

Yesterday, I preached and said profoundly, "The Resurrection is a very, very BIG DEAL."

"For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins."
(1 Corinthians 15:16-17)

Because of His resurrection, I am assured of my own. I too will one day rise after death, into a glorious new life.

It matters immensely on a Monday. It was so encouraging to gather with one another yesterday, but as we celebrated the anniversary of Christ's resurrection, we all knew that you can't sustain gatherings like that. At some point, we all had to go home. Back to our lives. We have homes to clean, jobs to work, classes to attend, and leftovers to eat.

When I woke this morning, I lay there on my pillow for a bit, blearily welcoming the day. That's when the glory and wonder and joy of Christ's resurrection is most needed. On a normal day.

He still lives!
Therefore, the promise still stands!

Because He lives, I live. While I slept, and when I woke, Jesus was reigning - victorious over death and sin (my sin!). He never stops. And comfort of all comforts, "He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them." (Hebrews 7:25)

I am saved. Completely. Today. On a Monday. Because of the Resurrection, I will be saved completely tomorrow. And the next day. And the next. Until I realize through the door of death my own resurrection to a new and better kind of life.

I hope you’ll work through the questions for reflection below to consider and process how Easter realities can gain traction in your life today.

I love the hymn, Because He Lives. Reflect on its chorus today:

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

¹

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If you’re not a Christian (yet)…

²

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Questions for Reflection

• What does it mean for you to be "saved" today?

• What scripture do you need to memorize in the next three hours in order to tame your fear and re-mind yourself that you are "in Christ" and that His Easter work is FOR YOU?

• Who do you need to talk to this week to encourage them as they seem to be "off" and need a word about the reality of Easter?

• How can you serve your way of being self-consumed this week by doing something for another or your church family sheerly from the joy of "being saved?"

• Would you consider leaving a comment here about how God spoke to YOU during Passion Week this year?

1. You can read the full lyrics here. I also love the last verse:

And then one day I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain.
And then as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.

2. If you’ve read this far, and you’re not a follower of Jesus, first of all, thank you for your patience and respectful attention. I’ve been sharing out of the overflow of personal gratitude about a deeply spiritual reality to me. It has probably seemed a bit otherworldly to you. I appreciate your curiosity and intellectual honesty for reading.

At the end of my sermon yesterday (at about 56:41 in), I spoke to people are who are not Christians (yet), and I encouraged and urged them (as I do you) to think about where you are and why you’re there.

Where would you place yourself on this scale?

• pretender

• skeptic

• “too far gone”

• guilt and shame-ridden

• apathetic

What is/are the reason(s) for your current unbelief? It’s an honest question. You see, I’d like to persuade you that the Resurrection of Jesus has as much power and promise for your life as it does for mine. We are not different in that. If you’re willing to engage in conversation, shoot me a DM on Twitter, or leave a comment below. I’d love to talk with you about Easter.