Just As He Said

It is the day following Easter and you feel ______________. How we each fill in that blank may be very different. Maybe you feel rejuvenated, maybe you feel lonely, maybe you feel sad, maybe you feel encouraged, or maybe you feel nothing at all. No matter which is true of you, I am here to remind you that it is okay. The most important step is continually choosing to be honest with ourselves about how we really feel so that we may open up to others in truth as time continues. 

This Easter, as I referenced the different accounts of the resurrection, the thing that stood out to me was in Matthew 28:6. It tells of Jesus’ resurrection, but it tells us so much more! It says, “He is not here, for He has risen, as He said.” The last part of the verse is what can be our encouragement today, no matter our current emotions. Jesus is as good as His word. He rose again, just as He said. He provides continually, just as He said. He loves unconditionally, just as He said. The list continues, as does God’s compassion, because He is the all-knowing Father that keeps His word. As a child longs to be taken care of by his parent and can trust He will be protected because he is loved, we can find that same confidence in Christ because He is our good Father and will always do just as He said.

Maybe this Easter was the first for you missing someone you love. Maybe they have not passed away, but things do not look like you envisioned. That grief is hard, too. Maybe this was not your first Easter grieving. Maybe you have a history of encountering this holiday with a different mindset than most people sitting around you in a traditional Sunday service. No matter the circumstance and no matter the loss, let us reflect on Easter and be reminded that we are not alone in our grief. As God the Father turned His back on Jesus, I can only imagine the immense weight of grief that accompanied Him. Grief is heavy. Grief is hard. Grief is tiring. Grief is emotional and a myriad of other adjectives, but this is a reminder that, although grief may feel isolating, it is relatable with many, including our Creator. As we press on into another new week, let us seek opportunities to show grace to others  that we have been shown in Christ because, at some point in time, we will all experience grief, and that is something we can be unified. Let us focus this week on seeking joy and being honest with others as we cling to the Father because He will always care, just as He said.