I’m
feeling a bit like one of the early disciples on this week after
Easter.
In fact, all of the staff are dragging a little. We have just
completed the journey through Lent that culminated with the hope,
excitement,
and celebrations of Easter Sunday and now what? There is such
a big build-up to Easter that the tendency is to let down…like we’re
“done”. But that couldn’t be further from the truth!
In fact, our work as disciples has only just begun! After Easter,
Jesus appeared to lots of people at various places in the forty days
before his ascension into heaven. The resurrection accounts list
as many as twelve different appearances of Christ, starting with Mary
Magdalene and ending with the apostle Paul.
The most telling evidence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the lives of those early disciples. Surely they did not want to go on…but they did. They certainly didn’t do it for the prestige, money, power, or glory. Most of them were beaten, stoned to death, tortured or crucified. Yet they laid down their lives as the ultimate proof of their faith in Jesus Christ and the message of Kingdom of God. Our work as disciples goes on as well. We are the voice, the actions, the message of Jesus Christ in the year 2010 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. As Richard reminds us every Sunday…we are God’s people in this time and this place.
Jesus appeared to his disciples and followers to provide bandaging, strengthening, encouraging…a booster shot of resurrection faith. And if you will let him, Jesus will appear to strengthen you for discipleship as well. So, what’s next? We’ve got homeless people to feed, lay pastors to train, worship and faith development groups to organize, youth to be confirmed, and lives to be changed. We are called as a church to seek, serve, and share the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. The message doesn’t end on Easter Sunday…in fact, that is when it actually begins!
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