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 Lord, your scars are your trophies, proof of your unfailing love for me. I am haunted by the guilt of my past, the sins of my present, and my fear of the future. Lord, at the cross you said, “It is finished.” So I cease my work and my worry. I rest in you. You have done it all. Amen.
Confession
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Lord, forgive my fugitive ways. I turn and run from you. Forgive my criminal acts of hypocrisy and self-righteousness. Forgive my violations of arrogance and selfishness. Forgive me for denying you, ignoring you, and disregarding you. I am the one at fault. I have no other help but to turn my face to you and plead, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Word
“Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’” John 21:17
Meditation
Today’s meditation is by Koleen Barnes.
I keep a statement and a verse as the background to my phone: “Love them anyway. Luke 23:34.” I do this not because I am some devout Christian who is holier than others, but because I need the constant reminder. The verse is actually “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do…” But the point remains—love others even if they don’t realize that they have hurt you. The insurance provider Asurion claims that we look at our phones ninety-six times a day. I need to be reminded ninety-six times a day to love people without stopping to decide if they are worthy.
Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him and Peter responds “yes” every time. I think this verse sums up a lot of what we learn in the Christian faith. So much so that Jesus repeats it three times. He really wants this message to sink in. This seems like an easy direction at first. Love comes naturally to many, which makes it easy, until it isn’t. We are directed to love others, but love is hardest when we are required to give something up.
Love often comes as service and sacrifice. It doesn’t always have to be huge, but it is there. I have the blessing of being married to a man who fully embodies loving through acts of service. He is on top of everything. Laundry, dishes, picking up the house—he does it all. Showing love by loving others is easy for him this way, whereas it comes harder for me.
I love through personal time and words of affirmation. Messages to friends when I am thinking of them or movie nights are where I shine. These types of love are more difficult for some. We each have our own way of showing love to others, and that is where Jesus shines through us.
So maybe you don’t need to be reminded ninety-six times a day to love others, but today, you can be reminded three times:
If you love me, love others.
If you love me, love others.
If you love me, love others.
Prayer: God, keep reminding me to love others. Every time I think about how I love you, move my spirit to show love to someone in my life who may feel like they don’t deserve it. Use my unique style of showing love to bring others closer to you. Let my life be an example of your love for me. Amen.
Benediction
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Heb. 13:20-21)