Separately Together

“Isn’t Freida’s new hat lovely?” “Oh, look. Aren’t those young Comstock twins just adorable in their matching suits?” “Did you see Burt’s tie? It has quite a stain on it. Oh, and his hair is a mess.” “When are we going to get this show on the road? We’re already 3 minutes late. At this rate my ham will be burnt when we get home. (Exasperated exhale)” “When the pastor says that Easter thing, what are we supposed to say back? Oh, yeah, ‘He is risen indeed, hallelujah’” “Sh-h-h-h. The service is starting….”

Jesus Is Risen

Well, now that the preliminaries, or preservice conversions, are finished, we can concentrate on the reason we celebrate Easter, or if you prefer, Resurrection Day. Oh, by the way, CHRIST IS RISEN!!! (You may respond now.) What a wonderful way to celebrate. Just like the disciples did on that actual resurrection day. Or is it? Remember? Mark 16:11 tells us that when the disciples heard Jesus was alive, they didn’t believe it.

When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it. – Mark 16:11

 

John 20:19 says they were secluded and huddled behind locked doors out of fear.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” – John 20:19

Finally, in Luke 24:36-37 Scriptures tell us that Jesus stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”  They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. – Luke 24:36-37

Look how they responded to the One with whom they spent somewhere around 3 years…they were startled and frightened thinking they saw a ghost.

How We React

We will probably be “huddled” at home for Easter this year. But, let’s not do it out of fear, since we know the one Who holds all things in his hands Let’s, rather, use the time in a way that we can celebrate our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Here is a suggestion. Open your Bible and read from each of the Good News (Gospel) writers, [you know, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John] to see how each one wrote about the brightest day in the world, the day Jesus rose from the grave. [Hint: You’ll find it near the end of each of the books.] On that day, and the 40 days leading to His ascension into heaven, He was walking, appearing, breathing, talking, eating, and showing His scars to over 500 people.

This year will be a unique celebration. Think of it. Each of us will be at our home in celebration of Jesus rising from the dead, after he did the most marvelous thing for each of us…allowing Himself to be totally humiliated, tortured, and finally hung on the cross, in our place, because of our sins. We could not have done it ourselves since we are dirty with sin. Jesus is, was, and forever will be the Holy One of God, as well as true Man, but without sin. Hence, a perfect replacement for us. The important thing here is this, we are the only ones, as Christians, that believe, live, and serve a living God and Savior. There is no one like our God!!!

Jesus Is Still Risen – Even in Quarantine!

So in this separate worship of Jesus’ resurrection, we can be reminded of the way we normally celebrate Easter, just more locally. Typically, on Easter, when congregations gather, they individually celebrate Jesus’ victory over death. While each congregation does that, Christian congregations globally celebrate “together”. This year, individual families will celebrate Easter in their homes (probably also watching, listening, and/or streaming worship services), but collectively we will be in worship together as a body of Christ, both locally and globally. All in all, the Father’s Name is glorified because of His wonderful and marvelous plan of salvation for us, His adopted heirs, through the crucified and now risen only Son of God, Jesus Christ. To Him goes all the glory and praise.

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High, will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. – Psalm 91:1

Nothing is too hard for Him, Nothing!

CHRIST IS RISEN!!! HE IS RISEN INDEED, HALLELUJAH!!!