Well, Easter's Over. What Now?

It's time to live out His victory and discern what's godly and true | Random Thoughts | Jesus Christ | Christianity

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Now, We Live Out His Truth

Before His Ascension

Soon we will commemorate Pentecost in a few weeks and the birth of the church universal, the Bride of Jesus Christ.

But, our resurrected Lord Jesus had a bit of a journey with His disciples before He ascended to His Father. For 40 days He appeared to them—to more than 500 even—and provided convincing truths that He was alive, the one and only Son of God, the promised Messiah in the Hebrew scriptures.

First, Jesus had to relieve their fears and confirm that He truly had risen from the dead, just as He had told them many times prior to His crucifixion. One of my favorite accounts of Jesus with his disciples is this one:

On the Road to Emmaus

Luke 24:13-19 (BSB)
13 That same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 And as they talked and deliberated, Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.

17 He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”

They stood still, with sadness on their faces. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked Him, “Are You the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in recent days?”

19 “What things?” He asked.

When I read verse 19, I can’t help but think that Jesus’ sense of humor, and a little twinkle in His eye, are on display here. I giggle when I imagine our resurrected Lord asking this question—”What things?”—knowing He’ll soon reveal Himself to these followers when they break bread together.

In the Room with His Disciples

After He revealed Himself to them and disappeared, the two immediately headed to Jerusalem. The Eleven and other followers then confirmed to the two that Jesus indeed had risen. Simon Peter saw Him, they said.

Luke 19:35-43 (BSB)
35 Then the two told what had happened on the road, and how they had recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread.36 While they were describing these events, Jesus Himself stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 37 But they were startled and frightened, thinking they had seen a spirit.

38 “Why are you troubled,” Jesus asked, “and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at My hands and My feet. It is I Myself. Touch Me and see—for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” 40 And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and feet.

41 While they were still in disbelief because of their joy and amazement, He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 So they gave Him a piece of broiled fish 43 and He took it and ate it in front of them.

And, again, I chuckle when Jesus asks His stunned, shocked, and disbelieving disciples—who think they’re looking at a ghost—for something to eat.

He knew that He was going to send them out into a hostile world to share the good news of the kingdom of God. He knew that His disciples would need to be firm in their belief in Him as the risen Son of God.

Luke 19:44-49 (BSB)
44 Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” 45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

46 And He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.

49 And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But remain in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

And, in the first chapter of Acts:

Acts 1:3 (BSB)
3 After His suffering, He presented Himself to them with many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a span of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

The risen Jesus spent time with His beloved followers to strengthen their faith in Him as truly raised from the dead, alive at the Father’s right hand. He assured them that they (and we who believed through their testimony) would not be left as orphans.

We are blessed with His presence through His Holy Spirit who gives us God’s power to live in, and live out, Jesus’ resurrection victory.

After His Ascension

We Live in His Victory, His Truth, Empowered by His Holy Spirit

After we’ve celebrated Resurrection Sunday, we grab ahold of the joy and the truth of the risen Jesus Christ and use them to refresh our souls. Then we “get out there”, wherever Jesus wants us specifically to go and share His Father’s kingdom with other image bearers.

Acts 1:8 (BSB)
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

We Live Among Deceivers

We live in deceit-filled times with many deceivers around us, but that’s nothing new in the history of the church. What’s different are the ways the evil ones try and deceive us and lead us away from God’s truth. Are you aware of the deceivers’ ways?

Wolves Among God’s Sheep

We also need strong discernment regarding things happening in the church universal. Not all shepherds (pastors, ministers, rectors, priests—online Christian “influencers”) are good shepherds who rightly divide God’s word of truth and humbly guide God’s precious sheep. Sadly, no. There are wolves among God’s flocks ready to devour those who do not discern the world’s false teachings from God’s truth.

1 Corinthians 11:13-15 (BSB)
13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

We Live as “Fruit Inspectors”

Your Good Shepherd, the one who bled and died for you, who Father God raised from the dead to give you eternal life, spoke these words:

Matthew 7:15-23 (BSB)
15 Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, by their fruit you will recognize them.

21 Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’

23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’

It’s okay to question your leaders, either in church or in society, as the Holy Spirit guides you. But, do so with a loving and humble heart, and…

Be a Berean

Paganism has always been around and it’s an increasing threat today. We see the influences of the New Age and of New Thought creeping into some churches, among other human-centric philosophies.

Acts 17:11 (BSB)
11 Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.

Grab God’s Guidance

The word of our Lord God emphasizes that the issue isn’t just about false teaching; it’s about spiritual influences from rebellious and unseen evil beings that try and influence us all through their deceit-filled “influencers”. Here’s more truth to add to your Belt of Truth that God gave you:

• Matthew 24:11

• 2 Corinthians 11:13

• Matthew 7:16

• 2 Timothy 4:3

• 1 John 4:1

A week after Resurrection Sunday, your “what now?” is to lean into Jesus’ resurrection victory and go out into the world and share Him, but with strong discernment and God’s truth in your heart.

Your Turn

Things for you to ponder:

• As you scroll through the news on your devices, ask yourself how what you’re reading “lines up” with God’s truth. Or doesn’t.

• Ask yourself how what you’re reading might lead you away from God’s truth.

• Ask yourself who are the deceivers today, and how are they leading people away from Jesus Christ. What are their messages.

• Ask yourself what you can do to guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus on a daily basis.

Maranatha, (again) come Lord Jesus.
Soli Deo Gloria!

If you’re a not-yet follower of Jesus Christ, please come along on this journey with us. You are welcome here.

And, I invite you to read my series on the book “What Does God Want?”.

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