36. LET US GIVE THANKS! (EASTER)

THE ‘LET’ OF EASTER
Sunday, April 4th

read John 20:1-18.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks,
by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe…
Hebrews 12:28 (NRSV)

Easter is here! Christ has arisen! Yes, we have received a kingdom that cannot be shaken, so Let us give thanks! This is indeed a day to celebrate, to thank God with all reverence and awe.

Then let’s ask ourselves, “Because of this day, how will I live differently tomorrow?”

On that early Easter morning, no one expected the resurrection. The women were coming to anoint the body. The disciples were fearful and grieving. But when they learned that Jesus was alive, everything changed for them. His close followers would soon begin to share the good news with everyone they could, willing to die for what they knew to be true. What Jesus had said would happen, did! They could trust everything he had taught and lived. They were completely transformed that morning and in the days after.

How does Jesus’s resurrection transform us TODAY?

Our most precious gift is knowing that everything Jesus has promised will come true. There IS life after death, there IS a beautiful, eternal life that will even surpass the life we are privileged to know and experience now. The unshakable kingdom is ours, and so is the peace and hope we have in trusting this.

But the gift of resurrection is not just a future hope for a future time. Because Jesus rose from the dead and gave us his Spirit, we have a guide and companion for our present journey. In the Spirit, we experience daily resurrections for every loss; we receive comfort for our sorrow, healing of our pain, wisdom from our mistakes, hope for our despair, and transformation into new life. We carry deep peace, joy, and hope within us for each new day.

Trusting in these gifts of love, how does our future hope transform our NOW? I have been reflecting on the ways I could be invited to live differently…

~ We have seen how God will always make good from everything – even death – so our bright future is a certainty. Will I live more courageously?

~ We have been given all the truly essential gifts of life through Jesus and his resurrection. Will I live more generously?

~ We have been shown that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Will I live more joyfully?

~ We can trust that every promise Jesus has made is true. Will I live more freely?

~ We will all live together in the glorious eternity of our unshakable kingdom one day, and this kingdom is with us here, now. Will I live more lovingly?

How will today transform your tomorrow?

Happy Easter, dear friends!

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“The very first Easter taught us this: that life never ends and love never dies.” –Katie McGahan

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Photo by Pisit Heng on Unsplash

Bible verses taken from https://classic.biblegateway.com/