Forty More Days of Easter

HOLD IT! We're not done yet! The Easter season (the resurrection of our Lord and His time on earth before ascending to heaven) is still going on. That was 40 days He was "in and out" of places and people's lives during that time. He was showing up when they least expected Him. Can you imagine being one of those who witnessed Him being alive? According to scripture, He stepped alongside two of His disciples on their way to Emmaus, He appeared to Mary and other women, He appeared to Peter. While the disciples met behind closed doors, He appeared to them, and even (doubting) Thomas got to touch the nailprints in His hands and the piercing in His side. .

For 40 days, Jesus was able to prove 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". He needed to teach His disciples the kind of King He really was. What a seminar on biblical teaching and resurrection life that must have been! Imagine being taught about new life, resurrection life, and never-ending life by the One Who had said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live. Whoever, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.” John 11:25. And 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.

What does that "seminar" with His disciple have to do with me today? First of all, because He lives, I can face whatever this day, and for that matter, what my tomorrows hold. When I watch CNN or Fox News, and hear the gloom and despair going on in politics, the most current killings of innocent people, the troubles in our economy, I don't have to be a member of that choir that only sings songs of dread and fear. Honestly, Christ's resurrection is the ANSWER TO EVERYTHING -- past, present AND future. Our God reigns supreme -- over all and that changes my perspective on EVERYTHING.

Science was never my favorite class in school, and I was so grateful to be done with that class at the end of the school year. And although I'm not a stellar scientific know-it-all, I know this. When I look up at the night sky and I see the stars and planets and when I walk outside on a sunny day and see the beauty all aroud me and I hear birds chirping, feel the wind against my skin and when I hold a newborn baby, 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.