We who follow Jesus know in our hearts that we are Easter People, people of the resurrection, people who are called to live out a new way of love and justice in our neighborhoods and in the world. We know these things in our hearts, but the stuff of life too often gets in the way of actually living it out.
How have we forgotten that it’s still Easter? This week after the Resurrection have we lost sight of the power of Holy Week? Have we already moved on to the next thing and lost sight of the celebration? Are we still in the Upper Room waiting for what’s next? Or are we more like Thomas, out and about doing the next things and needing more proof?
Too often we forget that Easter is a season of the church year, not just one day! It’s Eastertide!
Eastertide “Traditionally lasting 40 days to commemorate the time the resurrected Jesus remained on earth before his Ascension, in some western churches Eastertide lasts 50 days to conclude on the day of Pentecost or Whitsunday.” Wikipedia
JOHN 20: 19-31 NIV
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Are you having an easy time of believing right now or do you need Jesus to prove himself…to prove he’s real? TALK to God about this..
It’s totally OK with God if you have doubts…God’s not afraid of your doubts or your questions …
What would it take for you to believe right now?
What things help you see, touch, feel and experience Jesus?
The Resurrected Jesus has a new body, a new form that can walk through walls and disappear but He still has his wounds. What does this say about our own woundedness and brokenness?
Jesus breathes on them and fills them with the Holy Spirit. What do you need Jesus to breathe into you this Eastertide?
Are you needing more of the Spirit? Or perhaps something else…like presence, new vision, peace, joy, hope, rest, trust, love, forgiveness, or freedom….Sit still with Jesus and breathe. Imagine him with you breathing in and out with you. Talk to Jesus and tell him how you are feeling this week after Easter. Take a deep breath.. Breathe in that peace. Ask Jesus to breathe into you what you need this season. He might reveal to you something you didn’t even know you needed. BREATHE IN God’s Peace, BREATHE out your fear. BREATHE in God’s peace, BREATHE in the never ending love of Jesus, BREATHE out all self doubt and hate, BREATHE IN the LOVE of Jesus, BREATHE!
TAKE YOUR CUP and Consider what’s next…
The Cup of What is Next?
The disciples now had a new reality, Jesus was no longer dead! For some this was exciting, for others like Thomas they needed proof, or like Peter, this new world made life uncertain. So he goes back to what he did before, fishing! They all wondered what they were they supposed to do now? How do they live? They were being invited into a new life of resurrection, a new life of living out the ways of Jesus. As you drink from your cup today,and in the days ahead, talk to Jesus about any doubts, fears or uncertainties you have about what is next in your life. Ask Jesus to show you his great love in the middle of the questions and the waiting on what is next. Remember that like Peter, Jesus has a call and plan for you and loves you more than you can even imagine! READ John 21: 15-25
How do you want to live out EASTER this year? How do you want to live into resurrection and new life? How can you choose to receive the resurrection in your own life and walk in freedom?
HOW CAN YOU LIVE OUT RESURRECTION THIS WEEK? How do you need to experience more of the Shalom of Jesus? That peace that surpasses understanding and truly fills you with healing and wholeness. BREATHE IN THAT PEACE. BREATHE IN SHALOM. BREATHE with Jesus the Resurrected one! and let Jesus surprise you with his presence and love this week! IT”S STILL EASTER and Jesus knows what is next!