Easter Faith on Monday

On the Monday following Easter, a business owner will have to lay-off an employee who has been with his company since the beginning. How will Christ's resurrection help him make critical decisions?

On the Monday following Easter, a minister and spouse will be asked to move to a remote country church more than two hours further away from elderly relatives dependent upon their care. How will Jesus' resurrection help them find needed answers?

On the Monday following Easter, you must wake up and wrestle with the unique challenges our world offers. How will Jesus Christ's resurrection help you face life's obstacles?

If celebrating Easter is to mean more than bunnies, brightly colored eggs and wearing new clothes, questions must be answered. The resurrection of Jesus Christ has to be more than just an annual story-time… doesn't it? The sinking of the luxury cruise ship "Titanic" is a compelling story as the recent movie demonstrates, but would you want to relive it every year?   

Maybe this is how Jesus followers felt as they removed a lifeless body from the cross and laid it in a borrowed tomb. For three short years their lives had meaning and purpose. Once, they were preparing for a "New Kingdom… a New World" and Jesus Christ would be their Messiah. Now, they were holed up like frightened rabbits, broken dreams lying in the dust at their feet. But soon there would be a dramatic change…

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to see the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, because an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and rolled aside the stone and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. Then the angel spoke to the women. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn't here! He has been raised from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples he has been raised from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember, I have told you."          (Matthew 28:1-7)

Jesus was alive! The disciples could pick up their broken dreams and joyfully continue their preparations for a "New Kingdom… a New World." Christ was their Messiah after all. No longer frightened rabbits, the followers of Jesus would boldly launch a movement that would change the world. "Hear the Good News! Jesus Christ has defeated the forces of death and offers eternal life to all who believe."

For the business owner, the critical decisions must still be made but the living Christ gives him the compassion and wisdom to provide real help for his employee and friend.

The minister must move but church members begin visiting his parents offering help and support. Jesus Christ is alive and actively involving the faith community.

You can now wake up on Monday morning in the secure knowledge that you will never again face life's obstacles alone! A risen Jesus will give you much needed hope for the future.

Because Jesus is alive, Easter is no longer simply a story. It is a testimony of faith. Share this story with someone and ask him/her to join you in continuing to celebrate the resurrection of Christ next Sunday morning.

Remember that Jesus Christ is alive! Bet your eternal life on it!