“…We had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place.” Luke 24:21
So, Easter Sunday has come…and gone. Like so many others, our congregation had an absolutely wonderful Easter celebration. The choirs, musicians, flowers, banners and pews filled with God’s people made the day truly memorable. Several of our young ladies came adorned in their new easter dresses. Young men were looking mighty dapper, wearing jackets, ties and bright clothing. And many of our older men and women came sporting their “Sunday Best” as we gathered for worship on this day of all days. Yes, Easter Sunday is a day to celebrate, especially as we gather with friends and some who are new to our community. We worship together as one and give thanks to God for the gift of salvation through His Son Jesus. The Easter celebration is always beautiful and spiritually invigorating. But the question remains, “So now what?”
The day after Easter Sunday signals a return to normal. For many, the Easter dresses have been put in the closet. Men have returned their Sunday best to the hanger. The flower cross where families gather for Easter photos has wilted and must be put away for another year. Still, even as we find ourselves in the midst of the fifty-day Easter festival, the trumpets are packed in their cases, hand bells packed away and the special music has been concluded. It’s now a little over a week following the big celebration and even clergy members who have taken time off have returned to work and resumed their daily struggle against the world. Naturally, the question begs to be asked; “Has Easter made a difference?” Does Jesus’s resurrection still impact you in your daily struggle against the world?
It happened just as Jesus said it would. God kept his promise to redeem his people, in fact, God is still keeping it. Every day, God acts to save those who have wandered from his grace. Through his life, death and resurrection, Jesus brings forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life to all who believe. Even as the troubles and worries of earthly life weigh on the hearts of people, God’s promise of salvation and life in his kingdom is true and eternal.
Today, God’s people find themselves once again walking along the Emmaus road. Like those two disciples who encountered the risen Christ, we are still imperfect people with minds filled with doubts and hearts burdened with fear. We still live in a fallen and broken world where bad things happen to good people. Yet, in our conversations concerning Christ Jesus, our life together as God’s people, we are reminded through Holy Scripture that Jesus is indeed alive. As we walk the Emmaus road, living and learning the way of salvation, Christ walks with us. The good news of Jesus’s resurrection and victory over the grave gives hope to a world hungering and thirsting for God’s redemption.
Jesus makes himself known in so many ways; through the loving hands of someone providing food to the hungry, in the comfort of shelter provided to a homeless person, and through the presence of a loved one who consoles those who mourn. Jesus makes his presence known to the Church and to the world in his teaching, through his example of servitude, and most especially through the breaking of bread and pouring of wine at God’s table of grace.
Yes, the annual Easter events in our churches and families are concluded for another year. Yet, the hope and joy of Easter lives on in the hearts and minds of God’s people. Because Christ lives, every day is an Easter day for God’s people. Every day is filled with the promises of God’s mercy and grace. As we continue in our struggle against a fallen world, I pray the hearts of God’s people are burning with the hope and joy of Easter. May we all live in God’s grace and continue to proclaim the good news. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed!
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottil
