You may be feeling the sugar crash after all the chocolate bunnies and jelly beans.  Easter is fading in the rearview mirror.  Or is it?

Easter is about being raised to new life.  First Jesus, then his people.

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 1 Corinthians 15:20

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ they are a new creation; the old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17

So why doesn’t it feel that way?  Why are we often stuck in the tomb?  Why do our routines and relationships often feel lifeless?  Why does the week after Easter feel so much like the one before it?

Here are two possible reasons:

First, we might believe that Jesus promises a rose garden.  Not literally, but sort of.  In fact, Jesus faced routines and relationships just like we do.  He had difficult people in his life.  He had to repeat himself over and over to people who didn’t seem to be paying attention.  He was misunderstood, mistreated, and more.  His resurrection didn’t erase all that, and it doesn’t mean we won’t have to work through challenges, either.  But it DOES mean we can do it with a different source of power, and a different perspective. It’s possible to be looking for the kind of life that Jesus not only didn’t offer but didn’t experience.  The troubles of this life (and they’re real) are NOT the whole picture.  And they’re NOT forever.  And they’re NOT bigger than God.

Second, we may have a fascination with Jesus more than a following of Jesus.  He is a unique and interesting figure.  We like to hear about him.  We might have been in the crowds if we lived in Judea or Galilee in the first century.  We might even know a lot about him, or be able to quote some of his teachings.  But there’s a difference between a fascination and a follower.  (One famous preacher/author has even talked about this as being a “fan” vs. a follower.)  If we’re simply a fan, or fascinated, but NOT a follower, then we probably aren’t able to follow him out of the tomb and into a new life.

So if Easter hasn’t changed your life (yet), here’s something to consider.  Beginning this Sunday, April 28, 2019, we’re going to address this challenge.  If you’d like to learn more about living in the Easter reality, raised to new life, then please join us for our new series, “Answering the Call.”  It will be available on podcast soon.

-Pastor Mark

P.S. Hope United is almost here! Mark your calendars for May 18th and join us for this remarkable celebration of diversity.