Easter People

The Sunday after Easter, is sometimes referred to as “low Sunday” in the life of the church. Why? Because attendance is down, the crowds are gone, the events of Holy Week are over, the excitement of the “Hallelujah Chorus” has faded, and things have returned to a more normal and subdued pace. Following Easter, we must once again face day-to-day living in a Good Friday world often filled with challenging times and unexpected experiences. So how might the message of Jesus Christ's resurrection help us face everyday living?

Following Jesus’ crucifixion, even his chosen disciples asked, “What do we do now?” Some went back to their old ways of life. Earlier when Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say I am?” it was Peter who boldly replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” but, in the days following the crucifixion, even he returned to his trade as a fisherman.

Following the resurrection, it took a while for Jesus’ chosen disciples to become empowered to proclaim the Easter message and continue what he had begun. The central message of the Christian gospel was expressed in three words: “He has risen!” Once the disciples experienced Jesus’ resurrection and claimed that message and its meaning for their lives, they were renewed and transformed. They became empowered by Jesus’ words of promise and bore witness to what they had seen and heard. And in so doing they transformed the world with the message of the gospel! It was up to those early disciples to interpret the meaning of the resurrection through words and deeds.

That was then, some two thousand years ago. But this is now, the 21st century. What is supposed to happen after Easter? What does it take for us to move beyond despair to claim the hope of the Easter faith?

If Easter is to become more than a day to observe, its message must transform our lives too. Today it’s up to us as Christ’s 21st century disciples to interpret the meaning of the resurrection – to offer a message that transforms all despair into hope. We are called to claim the resurrection faith and become transformed to live as Easter people. But how do we live as Easter people in a Good Friday world?

Living as Easter people primarily involves two things: First, it’s about what we believe. Easter people claim Christ’s promises for faithful living.

Some of Jesus’ promises that he shared with his disciples that all can claim as his followers are these:

“Because I live, you shall live also.” “ I will be with you always…” “You shall receive power…”

Consider the implications of these promises for our lives. Because of Christ’s promises we can begin each new day in the secure knowledge that we will never again face life's obstacles alone! Our risen Lord gives us hope for the future, what ever it may bring.

Second, it’s about how we choose to live: Easter people live and love like Jesus.Again we look to Jesus to define the lifestyle we are to follow: Praying for guidance … Living a lifestyle of compassion and servant-hood… Sacrificial giving/living. We need to ask, "How are these expressions of discipleship being expressed in our lives?

As Easter people we need to remember Christ’s promises and in so doing, we will find strength to live and love like him! Being Easter people involves living in such a way that others might see Christ in us!

Although Easter Day 2011 has passed, the message is one for every day. Easter proclaims a message for a life-time. The message of Easter moves us from despair to hope regardless of life’s circumstances. Our hope rests in what God has done on our behalf through Jesus Christ on a cross and an empty tomb. The hope required to keep going comes from knowing that God is with us and will never forsake us. Christ has shown us the way!

The Apostle Paul said it this way: “We are often troubled, but not crushed; sometimes in doubt; but never despair; there are many enemies, but we are never without a friend; and though badly hurt at times, we are not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:-8-9) That is the promise that transforms despair into hope and enables believers to become Easter people!

A contemporary poet has expressed it this way: “Every morning is Easter morning from now on! Every day is resurrection day, the battle o’er death has been won. I need not fear from the rising to the setting sun; For I am one of the Easter people -- my new life has begun.”

Thanks be to God!