Post Easter – Now What?

Earless chocolate bunnies and leftover deviled eggs in the frig. Post-Easter. Now what?   Do we rummage through the calendar for another holiday or event to look forward to? What excites us about the future or even … daily?   May I be so bold in asking, what causes our insides to burn with excitement, what consumes our mind and emotions, what drives our behavior?

Post-Easter.

Jesus’ resurrection is AMAZING!  WONDERFUL!  DIVINE! However, let’s not stop there. There is more!  Let’s unpack this in a brief summary.  Stay with me, this is good! Luke 24, it speaks of the women going to the tomb, once there they find two angels who notify them that Jesus was no longer there, He’s risen from the dead! The gals go back to tell the others. Peter, as energetic as he was, runs to go see and confirms Jesus wasn’t there.  Just following that, (v13) it says “Now that same day…” It proceeds to unfold the story of the two walking to Emmaus, who unknown to them at first, encounter Jesus. They are flabbergasted that this Stranger didn’t seem to know what had just transpired in Jerusalem.  Sharing their disappointment, “We had hoped that He was the one who was going to redeem Israel.” Going on they explained how Jesus’ body was not found. Verse 27, “Then He (Jesus) started at the beginning, with the Books of Moses, and went on through all the Prophets, pointing out everything in the Scriptures that referred to Him.”   WOW, I’d love a one on one instant Bible study from the lips of the Master!

It wasn’t until Jesus was seated at their table, in their home and they accepted the bread He offered, and that their eyes were opened and they knew WHO He was. I love their response, “They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as He talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?”  (v32)

Their hearts burning within them. I want spiritual heartburn! I want my soul, mind, thoughts, passions, desires, and appetites to burn with Him and His Word! The word Luke chooses to use for ‘burning’ is very colorful. It doesn’t just mean to strike a match and light the kindling and watch it slowly give off heat. No, it RAVISHES through the wood and consumes it!  Luke is emphasizing to be GREATLY moved of heart. Burn Lord!

Yet some would argue that the two didn’t even recognize Jesus when He shared the Word with them. However, Paul writes, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) To have the very Son of God, His presence and He b-r-e-a-t-h-e these words to them, teaching them, training them, equipping them – THAT would cause their heart to burn.  Notice Jesus didn’t lay hands on them, put mud on their eyes.  He didn’t even send them to the Priest for verification; He simply… walked with them. Walking and talking, and they were transformed.  The narrative says they got up at once and went back to Jerusalem testifying that Jesus has indeed RISEN.

For us? The next time we find our seat at church or open the Bible for devotion time, let’s not daydream off to another place, let’s do some focused walking and talking.  Jesus told us, “The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things…” (John 14:26) We just need to show up for the lesson (And pay attention, take notes, ask questions).  THIS is the event, the daily event we will look forward to.

And …burn Lord, BURN within us!

Post-Easter.

Interesting: It was NOT the custom that the guest would serve the bread, but Jesus did – (COULD IT BE) as He pulled up the sleeves of His cloak, they saw the nail prints on His wrists! THERE! Do you see it! NOW! Recognizing Jesus! May we too be aware and see what He puts in front of us! (Point to Ponder)

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)