Living the Easter Life

What, some of you may ask, is the Easter life? Or some may say Easter was last week, Deborah, you are a week behind. I ask each of you to recall the story of the women at the tomb or go to Matthew 28:1-10.

"The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples." Matt 28:5-8 NIV

Easter living is living each day with the surety of Christ's conquering of death. Easter living is living with the confidence that the stone was rolled away and Jesus was not there. Easter living is living with the fear of not comprehending the incredible scope of the power and strength and love of our God and yet being filled with JOY. It's natural to have a fearful awe of what we cannot understand or grasp. And no matter if we spend our whole lives seeking God, studying His Word, and living as He wills, we cannot hope to gain that knowledge. Our human minds were not created to hold that much information. Yet the JOY is what should reign in our hearts.

"fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the JOY set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

Easter living is getting up Wednesday May 4th  or Friday July 22 and living with the surety of Christ's sacrifice for us. He was afraid in the Garden, yet in Hebrews it says for the JOY set before Him he endured the cross. Is JOY then the cure for fear? I must consider that possibility and dig deeper into the Scriptures.

 So, no matter what else happens each day, the trials or blessings, Jesus has saved us. HE IS RISEN. He conquered His fear to save us. Shouldn't I be brave enough to live each day with the truth of His life and death and resurrection?  Yes, somehow I must. In an earlier post I talked about our short memories. I suggest we all post a sticky note or put a calendar reminder that says "He is Risen" and that we renew it once a week. We move the note to a new location like, the back door, or the car, or in our calendars or journals, so we see it with fresh eyes and are reminded that for the JOY set before Him Jesus endured the cross for me and you.  Blessings everyone!