Easter is more than a one time a year event. It is an everyday reality that we can experience. Why should we limit our celebration of the greatest event in history to once a year? The resurrection is more than just a holiday. It is something we can live out every single day. Why? If you read the gospel of John chapter 20:19-29 we can discover some of the reasons we can live everyday in the resurrection.
1. The resurrection promises us that Jesus is always with us. While the disciples were behind closed doors, Jesus showed up, “Jesus came and stood in their midst…” We can glean from this happening that Jesus is with us wherever we are. He may not be with us physically but spiritually we “never leaves us nor forsakes us. He is with us to give us encouragement, strength, hope, patience, and the list goes on. What a promise that we can live everyday with Jesus. This reminds us of the song, “Everyday with Jesus is Sweeter than the Day Before.”
2. The resurrection promises us there is joy when we spend everyday with Jesus. John 20:20, indicates that when Jesus was with them, “they were glad when they say Jesus.” How it must have thrilled their hearts when the very presence of Jesus was with them. When we are lonely turn to Jesus and you will find joy. When you are questioning life’s challenges let Jesus show you the way. Try singing the little chorus song, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy down in my heart, down in my heart, down in my heart to tay!”
3. The resurrection promises us that Jesus will fill us with His Spirit. In this passage, John 20:22, Jesus “breathed on them” and they “received the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit means Jesus is with those who have been born of the Spirit by believing in Jesus Christ. When a person is born of the Spirit, then Jesus gives them a new Spirit, His Spirit. This Spirit is how Jesus lives with us everyday and enables us to overcome life’s challenges. A person does not have to face life alone, Jesus helps us through His Spirit.
4. Another reason we live everyday in the resurrection is because it overcomes all our doubts. In the story in John 20, one of the disciples, Thomas, was not in the closed room when Jesus appeared. But later when they met again, Thomas was present. He had not yet seen the resurrected Jesus. He doubted what the others were saying about Jesus being alive. Then Jesus appeared to Thomas and took away all his doubts. The resurrected Jesus assures us that we do not have to live in doubt. Why live in doubt when you can find peace and assurance in Jesus?
Are you living everyday in the resurrection or are satisfied to just celebrate Easter as nothing more than an holiday? Why not live everyday in the resurrection? It will make a difference in your life.