Easter’s over, right? Oh no, it’s just getting started!

With most holidays, I am always rushing ahead. At Christmas, I get so caught up in all that has be done, I almost miss the day itself. I have to admit, I’m always a little let down when it’s all said and done. But there is something different about Easter. Mysteriously, what appears to be the end is really just the beginning. 

With my time more relaxed these days, I did something different this year during the week of Easter. I followed Jesus and his story every day leading up to Good Friday, pausing Saturday for the unknown silence of his death and rejoicing Sunday for “Christ the Lord has risen indeed!” There was no rushing ahead and I am happy to report, there was no letdown. The reason you might ask? Because the story does not end at the empty tomb and it is far from over. 

For the next few weeks, I would like to walk this path a little farther down the road and I would like you to come with me. Let’s experience the amazement of meeting our risen Lord together. Just as Jesus set his face toward Jerusalem and went ahead of the disciples, he is still going before us even in his death.

It is comforting to think that Jesus goes ahead of us in all things. That he is somehow perfecting our faith or our faith is being perfected through him. Now, on the edge of Easter, we transition from life with Jesus to life in Jesus. And he is still showing us the way. Do you know why? Because we have lessons to learn and gifts that have not yet been given. 

Come and see for yourself. 

 Matthew 28 is where our first lesson begins. 

“Early on Sunday morning,^[a] as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.

² Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. ³ His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. ⁴ The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.

⁵ Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. ⁷ And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”

Encouraging the women to come into the tomb and see for themselves, the angel confirms that Jesus has risen, just as he said he would. Then, the angel tells them Jesus is going ahead of them and they will see him there. Can you imagine what they must have been feeling? Suddenly, there sorrow is turned to joy at the realization of their risen Savior.

For these women, there must have been much comfort in knowing Jesus was going ahead of them in spite of his death. Can you imagine the hope they must have experienced in knowing they would see him again? Jesus is the way, the truth and the light. Here, we see him actually making the way and in doing so he becomes our hope.

Jesus is our hope. 

While alive, Jesus showed them miracle after miracle in an attempt to build their faith and show them the way. Jesus knew seeing is believing. Now, in his death, he is still building their faith. With the promise the angel gives the women, “you will see him there,” they must have left excited and hopeful. For they knew, their Lord was just up ahead. That is what hope does. It refuels our souls and keeps us moving forward. As Jesus transitions from life to death, he builds our faith and becomes our hope. And we know, hope does not disappoint.

Let us pray;

God of all that is, thank you that there is no end to you and the love you have for us. Thank you that you continually go ahead of us, building our faith and becoming our hope. In Jesus’ name, Amen. -M

P.S. – Be sure to leave a comment below because I love to hear from you. Also, forward this to a friend that might need a little encouragement today or share on your Facebook page.