Monday, April 17, 2023

“And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God.”

Luke 24:50

Just weeks ago, Christians around the world focused on the celebration of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. For many houses of worship, Holy Week was probably the busiest of the entire calendar year. Some churches neared pre-pandemic capacity occupancy. Fasts, noon services, evening services, special communion, egg hunts, youth skits, speeches, family gatherings. But now, Lent, Palm Sunday, and Resurrection Day are over. As exciting as Resurrection weekend was, some of us are feeling spiritually letdown.

The disciples had walked and talked with Jesus every day for three years. After the plot to kill him, his death, burial, and resurrection they must have experienced a spiritual letdown of sorts. So much had happened. Now the Savior was gone, and they probably wondered, “What next?”

In Matthew, after the women discovered that Jesus was risen, the Savior met them. They ran to tell the disciples. Jesus met them in Galilee and declared the great commission.

Mark 16:19-20 reads, “So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.”

In John 21, Jesus shows himself to the disciples, and he restores Peter.

Despite the appearances of Jesus in the gospels, an era had ended. The disciples were “alone.” But were they?

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for being a promise keeper. You knew beforehand that the time would come when you would have to leave the disciples and go to the Father. Thank you for promising that they would not be alone. And just like they were not alone, I am not alone. Thank you for your Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen