The Week After Easter

Easter was great, now what?

I hope Easter was a great time connecting to Jesus, having time with family and friends and growing in your faith. After all, Jesus is alive and today He’s moving like He did when He was on the earth.

For our culture, Easter is a holiday that we condense over a weekend, culminating on Sunday. But what about the week after Easter?

This is a huge question because what we’re called to do as Christ followers is debated and taught with different views.

In scripture we see that the week after Easter, the disciples and others were having encounters with Jesus seeing Him in different places. These moments challenged their unbelief, redeemed Peter and gave instructions to what they were called to do.

No doubt these moments had to be amazing and other worldly. They were talking to, and eating with Jesus the one who was fresh off being raised from the dead. 

However, Jesus didn’t let them stay in the glow of this world altering miracle. He commissioned them to GO and make a difference.

“18. Jesus came and told His disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭18‬-‭20

These were the last words of Jesus before ascending back to Heaven. This is important because last words mean something. They are on purpose and they give direction. 

For us today this truth is vital!

The week after Easter for us is the time to get going in the mission we have through Christ.

We are called to make a difference by living through what God says to do, what God says to be and respond to others the way He does to us.

This is a massive culture shift but this is where we find life, purpose, hope and fulfillment. This is where we find life and furthermore, a rich satisfying life.

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” ‬ 

John‬ ‭10‬:‭10

The week after Easter is our time to take Jesus into our world and make a difference. This means our homes, our work, our school, our friends, our habits, our lifestyle and more are reflecting the heart of God in reaching people and helping them become disciples.

So, here are three ways we can do this.

First, see people through the heart of God.

Every person is somebody to Jesus. The challenge is, not every person is someone to us.

But we’re called to see others different because of what Jesus did for us. This means, we move through political, racial, economical, and social differences and value others because God does.

This can seem redundant, but the truth is, we’re challenged to do it. 

God is calling us to see people through His heart and then show them who He is.

Who can you love today? Who can you reach with the love of Jesus.

Second, do things different.

This is referencing how we respond to people and the things we walk through.

We choose to tell the truth, love others, refuse to gossip, be generous, don’t share personal drama on social media, let go of revenge, forgive others and serve freely.

This is God’s way and it’s the best way to live!!

We’re called to be bigger not better. Meaning, we’re not petty but rather we’re bigger and choose to walk in love.

Which of these can you put into practice today?

Move forward, it’s always right to live God’s way.

Third, serve freely.

Our culture is about me, me, me, and more me. The problem is living life this way is hollow, and shallow. 

God wants to use us which means, we must serve and have joy in it. When we serve God and others we leave a legacy. When serve ourselves only we leave a short lived story.

We can make a difference. We can help people have breakthrough in this life and receive eternal life.

We’re called to this! 

We do this by serving and living a life that’s bigger than ourselves.

So I ask you, where can you serve in your local church? How can you serve your family? What could you do in your city?

Since it’s a week after Easter, let’s get going and be and do what Jesus said! 

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬

God bless you and the best is yet to come!

PD