After that day, everything was different. The first disciples witnessed a dead man walking. Their lives would be forever changed, defined by “life before Easter” and life “life after Easter.” On numerous occasions, Jesus showed up in resurrected form before he ascended. In the season of Easter we will examine six “after Easter” encounters with Jesus. What did he say and do? In what practical ways does resurrection change my daily life? Nothing will ever be the same.
Invocation
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invitation
O God, you are the beginning, the middle, and the end. You are all in all. Lead me. Help me. Forgive me. Keep me from wandering and weariness. Keep my love ready and willing to serve You by serving others. Praise and honor be to You, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God now and forever. Amen.
Confession
O God, how can I believe without your help. I am filled with doubt. “What about . . . ?” “Is it really true?” “How do I really know you’re there? That you’re listening? That you care about me?” I confess with honesty all my fear and disbelief. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me. Mold me. Fill me. Use me. I believe; help my unbelief.
Word
Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. (Mark 16:9-10)
Meditation
Have you ever met a person that you thought had a demon? I have. It was like there was an evil force that haunted her. Something that no doctor can diagnose, no pill can medicate. A condition beyond explanation.
Mary from Magdala. She had a “before and after” experience. Before, she was a haunted woman. Scripture says she had been possessed by seven demons. I picture Mary avoiding eye contact because she was afraid that if she looked you in the eye, you could see what was inside her. She was ashamed and scared. So she always looked down. This was her life “before.”
But everything changed the day she met Jesus of Nazareth. He looked her in the eye. He called her by name. He confronted all her demons. Her life was defined by “before and after” an encounter with Jesus.
She had another “Before and After” experience. “Before” was Good Friday. All was darkness and death. “After” was the first Easter morning. Mary and some other women went to the gravesite early in the morning. They brought spices to embalm his body because everything happened in a rush on Friday. When they arrived at the grave, it was open and empty. “Before” turned to “after.” Life was never the same. God can flip circumstances. He can turn a haunted woman to a free woman. He turns death to life. Fear to hope.
Benediction
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Amen. (Rom. 15:13)