Read: John 20-21

Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!

Tradition that reminds us to remind ourselves of this spectacular, pivotal event in history. I was raised with such rich tradition, with Easter Egg hunts and candy treats, with early Son Rise services as we sang hymns on cool Easter Sundays. The Easter Lilies that adorned the sanctuaries bloom to remind us that the Lord of Creation is the Lord of the Resurrection.

A lot of these traditions are old now, but I’m thankful for the heritage, the fond memories of watching our girls run around with Easter baskets finding treats around the house. One of my favorites was in Colorado where we “hid” Easter eggs on top of the snow! We sectioned off the area by age groups and watched the girls and their friend find eggs on top of the Spring snow. They didn’t miss a beat. The joy with which they collected eggs and the celebration that followed is heart-warming even today. I miss those days, but I’m thankful for the memories.

It’s a different world and a new time, but the course of history was changed by this single moment. All four Gospels cover the most significant event in history: the Resurrection of Jesus! Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20-21

Each provide a different perspective of the account of eyewitnesses that attest to this miracle above all miracles. John provides some details, a wonderful record of events from the early discovery through appearances to the disciples (the eleven).

• The Empty Tomb: John 20:1-10
• Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene: John 20:11-18
• Jesus Appears to His Disciples: John 20:19-23
• Jesus Appears to Thomas: John 20:24-29

I want to read more about the event, but John simple states:

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:30-31

But he couldn’t stop writing! Chapter 21 adds more details:

• Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish: John 21:1-14
• Jesus Reinstates Peter: John 21:15-19

Finally, he put the quill and ink to rest:

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. John 21:25

Brett Andrews sent an email to the New Life Christian Church staff asking for prayer in many specific ways. He ended the email with verse three from an old hymn some one hundred years ago that captures the moment:

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
The Love of God, Frederick Lehman, 1917

Many of my friends are busy this morning as they serve local churches in various parts of the country. I pray that our commitment to serving the church doesn’t make us so busy that we miss the splendor of the day.

Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!