After Easter - Mark 11:8-9

Mark 11:8-9 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

            Just like the joyful crowd on the first Palm Sunday, we had an amazing Easter worship service at church yesterday. Over 200 people attended which was one of the biggest Easter congregations that we’ve had in years. The atmosphere was wonderful, the music was beautiful, and the message was meaningful. It was a great occasion and a great blessing to our wee church. To see so many families from in and out of town, joining together in worship is something that always touches me; to have them do it at Easter makes the whole celebration so sacred and inspiring.

            The same thing was happening all over the world. People gathered together to worship and praise Jesus as their Savior and Lord. To realize that almost 2 billion people across the planet were celebrating Christ’s glorious resurrection is staggering when you think about it. If only we could fulfill that potential every week in church and every day in the world! The Earth could be healed of its brokenness and perhaps we could all live in peace. After all, Easter is a celebration of God healing sin and death with the actual resurrection of His Only Son. If we could only apply that in our relationships with other people, as well as our relations with other nations, what a dear and blessed planet this would be.

            Let’s try to apply Christ’s message by becoming Easter people to a Good Friday world. Let’s continue this blessing He has given us yesterday and take it to the people we encounter, the situations we experience, and the challenges we face this week. If we do this, then I believe we will begin to see the world around us change for the better with the goodness of God.

Point to ponder

How did Easter affect me yesterday? How can I extend its blessings this week?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we praise You for being our Savior and Lord. Just like the crowd of the first Palm Sunday, we are joyful for Your presence among us and for the hope which Easter brings. Help us to positively share these blessings with all whom we encounter this week. In Your Holy Name, we gratefully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can read the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s Easter drawings called Sacred Son Rise. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Son Rise.