In the Spirit of Easter

It's evening as I write these words. And reflecting a bit, I now realize that today I have not been aware much of the Easter events. And that actually is a startling admission. The disciples and the women will have thought back constantly of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus during that first week. How real it will have been for them!

One blessing of Easter is that we do more right thinking. But Easter people know Jesus is in their little thought-world. That thinking must not stagnate. We think of Jesus living for us, redeeming us, ruling our lives, providing for us and seeking our company.

And in that thinking we are never alone. Believers are a community and they think of each other. Their prayers are personal and communal, and they know that Jesus thinks of them.

There is a story that is told about some Massachusetts citizens who at one time visited the Holy Land. Having climbed the mountain of Golgotha, they cut from the summit some small sticks to take along as humble memory tokens. Having returned home, they presented it to George Nixon Brigs, the Governor of Massachusetts, and added this statement, "we wanted you to know that as we stood on Golgotha's mountain we thought of you." Accepting the little gift with due courtesy, the governor gratefully added, "but I am still more thankful that there was Another who thought of me there."

In John 10, we read that the Shepherd knew his sheep. "To know" is an important verb in the Bible. It portrays an understanding that is unusually deep; it involves, in a sense, a sort of possessing each other in love and faithfulness. Such 'knowing' always demands a response. Jesus tells us, "...and I am known of my own." Indeed, the sheep hear the shepherd's voice; they answer his calling and follow him.

During this Easter season, I may stop in my tracks and ask myself: What is my relationship to God? What is the foundation of my life? What am I living for?

Am I one of the believers who are very busy and rushing on...?  Are you? The Good Shepherd left the ninety-and-nine in order to find the one gone astray. So we must not avoid him, not in our little inner world either. We need not see that as a duty. It is observing an amazing reality. He thinks of me, of my loved ones, he thinks of you, he thinks of all his people. The Easter season has no end.