They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32
Dear Friends in Christ,
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
What a glorious celebration of Holy Week and Easter! We walked the drama of the Last Supper, the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus’ arrest and trial, his crucifixion and burial. Then we recounted God’s saving acts in history, culminating with the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Darkness turned to light as Jesus defeated the powers of sin and death and despair. And what wonderful music with choirs and organ and brass and bells! Flowers and sights and smells and friends and food and laughter and eggs and children and joy in God’s blessings! What a joyful feast!
So what is next? Why let that joy fade—why not build on that new life that Jesus has given you? Why not make Easter a beginning of a more joyful, purposeful, meaningful life? In Christ, we find a more true understanding of who we are as individuals and as God’s people. In Christ, we learn how to love, how to serve, how to discover God’s love for us and for others. The Holy Spirit empowers us to find strength and wisdom to face the challenges of life, and to trust God with the things that threaten to overwhelm us.
I pray that you make Easter a new beginning. I pray that you seek God in prayer each day, bringing more of yourself to God for him to bless and form and shape. I pray that you decide purposefully to worship God with your brothers and sisters each week, that you build Christian relationships with them in study and prayer and service. I pray that you reach out to others to invite them to discover the joy you have found. I pray that you grow in grace and the knowledge and love of the Lord, not just for a brief holy day, but for all the days going forward.
Make Easter a new beginning. The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Yours in Christ,
-Tom