Easter is over…now what?

This has been an Easter weekend for the record books. For the first time, the highest attended Sunday for churches happened online - not inside physical buildings. It was disorienting at best and seemingly sacrilegious at worst. Nonetheless, the message and meaning of the season remains. This is important to say: The holiday of Easter is different from the season or epoch of Easter. Here’s what I mean…

The followers of Jesus, went through the agony and grief that comes with the death of a loved one. But, those that saw Him again were impacted in a way that words can’t describe.
While their circumstances did not change, the way they looked at their circumstances did. Their day-to-day life probably didn’t look different after they encountered the risen-from-the-dead Jesus. Their outlook on life and way they lived their day-to-day life, however, was different. This is significant and shows the point of departure from any other historic person. “If Jesus had not been raised from the dead”, says Fleming Rutledge, “we would never have heard of Him.”

Now that we are in the season of Easter, it doesn’t mean that schools are opening this week, churches will be gathering back together, the economy is open and people are back to work. It does mean, that even if schools and churches aren’t open or we still have to practice social distancing, all is not lost. In fact, none of those things define our humanity. The resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth reminds us of hope beyond hardship and life beyond the grave. 

So, let’s celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Let’s celebrate the precious value of our faith. Let’s also: 

• Wash our hands

• Wear masks in public and when appropriate 

• Pray for first responders, medical practitioners, etc. 

• Allow this time to be the practice field of what we believe about Jesus  

The holiday of Easter may be over, but the season and new way of looking at life remains for those who trust in the life and believe in the words of Jesus of Nazareth.