Passion Week: The Next Step
by Jeff Noble
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."
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.
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 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.
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?
Epilogue
Our staff has today "off." I am deeply thankful for each of them. God has been faithful to raise up faithful leaders for His church at Northstar. Would you consider today sending one of our Northstar staff a text or note, letting them know that you see them as Easter people? They don't get Easter weekends "off" and work with such joy to serve our church family. I am grateful for them and for you, our church family. We GET to serve Jesus and BE HIS CHURCH together in these special days.
1 Comment
The Easter message that spoke to me is that we should live as Easter people everyday because we live “in” Him and He in us if we have accepted him as our Lord and Savior. Living in Him is something I am learning to do and working on; listening to Him and looking to Him first and finding his will in all I do. I am finding out what it means to have the joy in the Lord and that everything else pales in comparison to living a life in and for Him. The words I will carry with me are living as Easter people everyday.