by Dorette Saunders
Easter is a joyous time. Golden daffodils wave at passersby. Pastel flowers dance as the wind invites everything around to engage with nature. Listen to their chant: Christ is risen, I’m a living witness!
Alleluia!
We have walked through 40 days of Lent. We have tried to prepare our hearts for the day Jesus would die. We have wept as they mocked, whipped, and crucified our Savior. Now our mourning has turned to joy, and our smiles to sheer ecstasy. Christ is risen from the dead! Jesus is alive!
Alive!
The word echoes in the atmosphere. Creation gets the news and broadcasts it everywhere. The world doesn’t always get it that Christians don’t seek Jesus, the Living One, among the dead. There’s no stone to roll away. It is finished! Jesus took on sin and death on our behalf and he won!
The world declares, “Easter’s done. Now what?”
First, we must recognize that Easter is not a mere moment in time or a scheduled annual event. Easter is a lifestyle. Believers know that if Christ were not raised from the dead, then our faith would be futile (1 Corinthians 15:14-19), and our hope of heaven would be dashed. But Jesus is alive, and he has shown us this fact with many infallible proofs! (Acts 1:3).
One popular Easter hymn intones: “You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart!”
So are you a witness to the resurrection? Yes, we are Jesus’ witnesses. His Spirit lives within us. We have hope as we journey through this life. And, we are also assured of heaven. So we praise God because “In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…” (1 Peter1:3, NIV).
Second, we have the responsibility of sharing the resurrection news with others. The gospel of Jesus Christ is Great News. We are commissioned to tell it over and over again (Matthew 28:19). Perhaps like Mary, when she shared the news with the disciples, people may refuse to believe us. But share it anyway! If you’re en route to your personal Emmaus, share it (Luke 24: 13-35). If remote work keeps you home, share it. If your kids seem too old (or too young), share it. Even if no one seems to heed it, share it!
Third, live it! Be a living witness. What better way to make Jesus known than to live how Jesus taught us to live? Salvation is free because Jesus paid the price for us. The death and resurrection of Jesus gives us full access to God our Father. We, who represent many tribes and nations, can sing a song of victory because God’s Word burns in our hearts. Let no rock out-praise you. Let no element of nature dance before the Lord and leave you standing. Let no star outshine you. Sing, dance, clap, shine!
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
PRAYER: Father, although the world seems to have gone crazy, what a time for us to be alive. We live because Jesus lives. Help us to face tomorrow bravely because the Risen Christ is already there. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
©M©dytations 2024