Many of you have shared the last forty days of Lenten Journey with me. Thank you for that! We’ve arrived; this is Resurrection Day! For forty days, we’ve reflected, repented and pursued renewal. Everything has pointed to this day. He is risen! Hallelujah!
The early Christians pursuing baptism and church membership had long waited for Resurrection Sunday. The rigors of self-denial, prayer, scripture reading, and works of gracious compassion prepared their hearts and proved their faith. They were ready to enter the fellowship of the committed. They were ready to say with brothers and sisters in Christ, “He is risen! Hallelujah!”
Like them, we’ve lived through forty days of preparation and anticipation. Most of us will gather with other Jesus-followers in a few hours. We’ll sing resurrection songs. We will read resurrection sections of Scripture. We’ll say with fellow pilgrims on the journey, “He is risen! Hallelujah!”
A long-time friend of mine joined me for this journey. A couple of days ago he sent me an email and finished it with these words: So after Sunday we enter the tough season, the long road. How do we keep this spiritual renewal and many new found disciplines intact and growing until the next season? Leave that one to Monday morning!
I haven’t answered the email, but I think God has shown me an appropriate response. The journey is over . . . let the journey begin! We’ll celebrate today. We’ve looked forward to it for forty days. It’s Resurrection Day; we should celebrate! Tomorrow, however, is Monday. A new journey begins. My friend’s questions are valid. How do we keep the renewal growing?
I don’t have all the answers to his questions, but I think I know where to start. The writer of Hebrews tells us how to begin the new and longer journey: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1&2 ESV)
The disciplines we’ve learned on the journey to Resurrection Sunday prepare us for the longer journey. Perhaps we can share the continuing journey. Traveling together is always better than traveling alone. Have a glorious Resurrection Day. He is risen! Hallelujah!