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March 26 – Easter Faith
Matthew chapter 28
On the Monday following Easter, a restaurant owner must lay-off three employees he can no longer afford. On Monday, a police officer leaves her husband and three children, praying she will safely return that evening. On Monday, a pastor must arrange a funeral for a young man who died of cancer. On Monday, you must face a world full of difficulties, challenges and crisis.
If Easter signifies more than bunnies, colored eggs and new clothes, hard questions must be answered. Jesus’ resurrection must be more than an interesting story. Where is God when the world is suffering? How does Easter Sunday help us find hope when facing Monday problems?
The followers of Jesus likely felt the same way as they removed his lifeless body from the cross and laid it in a borrowed tomb? For three years their lives were based on a promise offering meaning and purpose. They were preparing for a “New Kingdom” and Christ would be their King. Now, they were hiding like frightened rabbits. Confused, grief-stricken and deeply troubled, the disciples faced a Monday filled with anguish and despair.
Jesus Christ made a noble sacrifice, but the disciples could not understand the meaning of that sacrifice without seeing what happened next. They needed to experience the rest of the story.
When you read the story, you can feel the excitement. Again, and again we read how they ran, not walked but ran to find out for themselves. Peter and John ran to the now empty tomb. Mary ran to spread the news. A theologian wrote: “Christ turns sunsets into dawn, nights into days. Jesus turns darkness into light.”
Today, we face similar frustrations and disappointments. We take comfort in knowing our suffering is not in vain. The restaurant owner must make critical decisions, but the living Christ gives him compassion and wisdom to provide help for his employees. The police officer faces danger, but friends bombard her with encouragement. The pastor reassures the grieving family and suggests creative ways to honor their loved one. You face Monday morning in the secure knowledge that you will never face the world alone!
Celebrating Jesus’ resurrection at Easter is a testimony of faith offering guidance and courage for Monday difficulties. Easter is a promise enabling us to cope with disappointment and tragedy. Our difficulties will someday be a distant memory, but Jesus Christ will always be alive and well! Bet your eternal life on it!
Prayer Challenge: Help me overcome Monday difficulties with Easter faith.
Prayer Challenge: Read John 20 and pray Jesus’ resurrection and what it means.
