Easter Monday

This is the day pastors, choirs, worship bands, altar guilds, church administrators, and everyone else associated with the events of the previous day breathe a sigh of relief.  Another Easter has been celebrated.  What a great day of joy!  But, it's also a lot of work to prepare for the resurrection celebration!

Regardless of all that took place the previous day, life continues on.  For the disciples, the good news of the resurrection continues with the appearances of the Risen Lord.  That really is too much for me to imagine.  How would I have reacted to the news that Jesus was risen?  Probably a lot like Thomas.  I, too, would have wanted some kind of proof in order to believe. 

But the good news is that moving forward physical proof will no longer be needed.  Thomas and the other disciples saw the Risen Christ.  But Jesus' word to Thomas, and to us, is "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed."  Some were blessed to have actually seen.  But actual sight will not be required.  The gospel, the good news, will be proclaimed by the disciples, the women, and others who saw the Risen Lord.  In the telling and in the hearing, people will come to faith.  God's Spirit will work through this spoken Word to grow God's kingdom by God's grace.

And this is exactly what has happened.  The gospel is shared, and the Spirit enlivens faith in the hearts of those that hear.  It is simply amazing to me that from that first group of witnesses, the Christian faith has spread across the world.  It is simply amazing to me, that God's Spirit got through to me through the faithful witness of many.

Sometimes I wonder if the work I do in sharing the gospel makes any difference.  What is the future of the church locally, nationally, and across the globe?  In my times of anxiety, I try and remind myself it is God's church, not mine.  God's Spirit has moved in people's hearts for more than 2000 years now, and I trust God will continue to do so long after my work is done.  That's the hope and the promise.  "Blessed are those that have not seen, and yet believe!"