The days after Easter

Wow, spring break really go to me. I totally got out of the rhythm of writing. So I'll do two this week. 1) for Easter reflections 2) for this week and the upcoming series. So here's numero uno:

Resurrection Sunday is supposed to be this huge crescendo in our communal celebration of the passion of Christ. I don;t know how many of you saw the movie created by Mel Gibson a number of years ago. I saw it early on in its release to the theaters. I watched with a big crowd of others in silence, tears and sometimes in horror as Jesus of Nazareth was falsely arrested, paraded from crooked politicians to ill-religious leaders for their own agenda. Yet, on this past Good Friday we spent time experiencing the stations of the cross where we take personal responsibility for the sacrificial death of Christ. It may have been the conspiracy of the Romans and Pharisees that in reality put Jesus on that torturous cross, but it was our sin that lead Him and motivated Him to fulfill the law and extend forgiveness and live eternal for a sinner like me.

Back to Resurrection Sunday... According to Biblical scholars Easter was celebrated for another 8 days after Resurrection Sunday. Yet, for most of us we walk through the season of Lent and crescendo with Easter then... nothing. The truth is that we should revel in the amazing new life we are offered in Christ's victory over the grave. Also, after 8 crazy days of Easter, the church continued the festive attitude for another 42 days until the celebration of Pentecost (Acts 1).

I still want and earnestly desire to live not only free from the power of sin, but more radically in newness of life. What does a post resurrection life in Christ really look like, feel like, move like? I think I have touched the hem of His garment at times (a thimble full). But, yet, I have not experienced that consistent and constant, "faucet wide open" flow of the living water from my deepest inner being. My suggestion: let's continue in an attitude of awe and joy through the next 50 days and see if the power and freedom of Easter will soak deep into our hearts and minds. Kind of an Easter marinade (OK that was corny).

That is what I am obsessing about, this side of this particular Easter. That is what I want to investigate and chase after for the next 50 or so days.

Grace and Peace,

Troy