The Day After Easter

 

It took awhile for reality to set in.

News of the resurrection of Jesus came to the disciples from Mary and other women (Luke 24:10).

"But their words seemed like fables to them, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb. Stooping down, he saw the linen clothes lying by themselves. He departed, wondering in himself what had happened" (Luke 24:11-14).

The day after the resurrection life went on among the living. The disciples had a meal with Jesus, and returned from Bethany to Jerusalem and were "continually in the temple" (Luke 24:53).
Many others were busy telling tales that the disciples stole the body from the tomb and hid him.

"So they took the money and did as they were instructed. And the saying has been commonly reported among the Jews to this day" (Matthew 28:15).

Even the resurrection wasn't proof enough for most of the Sanhedrin leaders. They believed what they wanted to believe about Resurrection Sunday.

So the day after the resurrection for them was another day of spin and debating Scripture. Nothing at all changed in their lives.

The cataclysmic spiritual event didn't alter the work day for most. Farmers went to their fields. Construction continued. There was leather to tan.

A news reporter would have little to write about on the day following the resurrection. The man on the street interview would offer little but skepticism. The angel who rolled away the stone did not seem to be available for an interview. A reporter could only save his stone tablet for a better story to scribe later.

The marketplace must have been a buzz for at least part of the morning. Everyone surely had an opinion about the news of the resurrection. Those who gathered around the water basin certainly had their own opinions about what had happened. Many had watched the crucifixion and some had watched the stone be rolled into place to seal the tomb forever.

None of the activities that probably happened on the morning after the resurrection would surprise any of us. The single defining moment of the ministry of Jesus was His resurrection from His very public crucifixion. We shouldn't be surprised about those who mocked even the greatest sign of lordship.

Our faith does not depend upon an Instagram photo of the event or even radiocarbon dating of a burial shroud. Our faith has much more substantial substance.

When I prayed for Jesus to come into my life and be my Lord, nothing remained the same. I could hardly work on the Monday after. My career path changed. My desires changed. My conversation changed. My eternity changed.

Leaders are known by their fruit. When a leader takes action, change occurs. Lives change.
The reality of resurrection is change.