Let it get to you

     Our church just finished our annual mission conference.  I was very happy to get my attention squarely on the part of our life that is closest to the heart of God; seeking worshipers from around the globe to join us in praising our Father.
     This Sunday, I am going to begin a series of studies that will direct our attention to the account of the last days of Jesus' life.  It has me questioning how this year will be different than previous years relative to what our Resurrection Day celebration will "accomplish."
     I’m looking, as I write this post, at Luke 24:9-12.  The women, who went to the tomb early that first Resurrection morning, came running back to where the disciples had gathered in their grief to report to them that the tomb was empty and that they had talked to angels who told them that Jesus had risen from the dead!
     We look back at that scene from 20 centuries later and say (in a quiet “reverent” tone) “praise the Lord.”  We are even a little frustrated about the response of the disciples.  But I wonder, when our response is less than overwhelming and enthusiastic, if we don’t evidence the same kind of lackadaisical attitude that the disciples had.  “But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.” (verse 11).
     The disciples loved Jesus.  They had walked with Him and listened to Him and worked for Him.  They heard Him talk about going away and had every reason to understand the impact of what those ladies were saying.  It still was almost as if they turned from the ladies when they interrupted them and went back to their discussions about what they were going to do next.
     I don’t mean to suggest that we don’t believe in the resurrection.  I am not saying that we don’t love Jesus or that we are not grateful for what He has done for us.  What I am suggesting is that we sometimes allow our “observance” of Easter to be too historical.  We call it a celebration of the resurrection, but it comes and goes too often without making any significant impact on what happens in our lives next.
     Once the disciples understood the reality of the resurrection, it changed them thoroughly.  They had heard Jesus before…now they listened as if their life depended on it.  They loved Jesus before…now their hearts burned with a passion to know Him.  They had worked for Jesus before…now they could think of nothing other than serving Him with their whole heart.
     How is it with you this year?  Will Resurrection Sunday come and go with a little extra oomph in your “amen” at some point during the service and perhaps a little extra stirring in your spirit as you offer your worship to God?  Or will your life really be different because you took time to remember that the event we will celebrate is the central event of all of history?  Will your life reflect a renewed commitment and zeal to serve the Lord you love?  What will be different about you on Monday after you celebrate the resurrection on Sunday this year?
     Enjoy the celebration everyone.

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