40 More Days of Raising a Hallelujah

I’ve been in an Easter story-telling mode for several days now. And it looks like I’m not finished yet. Truth is – Easter isn’t about rabbits and eggs and chocolatey treats. We should NEVER stop talking about Easter and all it represents as believers in the abundant life Christ gave us and that’s every day of the year.

Easter Sunday is just the beginning of Easter. The Easter season (the resurrection of our Lord and His time on earth before ascending to heaven) is still underway. For 40 days after His resurrection, He was “in and out” of places and people’s lives. He showed up when they least expected Him. Can you imagine being one of those who witnessed Him being alive AGAIN?

As I spoke about it yesterday — He stepped alongside two of His disciples on their way home to Emmaus. Before that, He appeared to Mary and other women. Then while the disciples met behind closed doors, He walked THROUGH the walls, literally, appeared to them. “Doubting” Thomas became “believing” Thomas when he touched the nail prints in His hands and the piercing in His side.

For 40 days, Jesus proved to His followers that He really had been raised from the dead. In 1 Corinthians 15:6, Paul records that Jesus “appeared to more than 500 brothers at one time”. Jesus taught His disciples the kind of King He really was. What a sight for sore eyes it must have been for Peter to see Jesus alive – especially after he had denied Him and hidden during His crucifixion.

The crux of our faith is based on eyewitnesses to our risen Lord. It was one thing to walk and talk with Him before His death, but how AWESOME to have witnessed Him ALIVE again. Imagine the seminar about new life, resurrection life, and never-ending life being taught by the One Who had said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, shall he live. Whoever, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.” (John 11:25).

Now that’s a reason to raise a “Hallelujah!” Death on this side of heaven opens the door to our “forever” life with Him — just like He said. We’ll be like Jesus — death on this side of heaven is just walking through the walls of heaven to live FOREVER with Him!!

At the end of the 40 days, He ascended to heaven. He couldn’t be everywhere at one time, so He sent the Holy Spirit to be with us to comfort, guide, and lead us. He would live in our hearts. Talk about BONUS! God the Father. God the Son. God the Holy Spirit. All for ONE! And ONE for all!!!

What does that “seminar” with His disciples have to do with you and me today? Everything. Because He lives, we can face whatever this day, and our tomorrows hold. When we watch or read about the news and hear the gloom and despair of what awaits the world daily, we don’t have to be a member of that choir that only sings songs of dread and fear.

Christ’s resurrection is the ANSWER TO EVERYTHING — past, present AND future. Our God reigns supreme — overall — and that changes our perspective on EVERYTHING.

I’m not a stellar scientific know-it-all, but I know this. When I look up at the night sky and I see the stars and when I am outside on a sunny day and see the beauty all around me and I hear birds chirping, feel the wind against my skin and as I live in such sweet peace that passes understanding, I know it’s because my Savior, my King of Kings and Lord of Lords LIVES. One day of celebrations just isn’t enough. Let’s keep celebrating this miraculous, life-changing season of Easter every day!