Tuesday, April 3rd, 2018

As we settle back into our routines after the Easter holiday, the fervor we felt and celebration we witnessed this past Sunday always seems to fade behind work deadlines, household responsibilities, and the other stressors of daily life. But many years ago, in the days immediately after Jesus arose from the dead, He did not just resume his life where he had left it four days before. When Jesus returned from the dead, he was markedly different, and so was his mission. He had a very clear and time-sensitive goal: to show what God had done and to lay the foundation from which the Christian church would be built. He knew he had but 40 days to accomplish this. What if we approached our lives in the same way? What if after our rebirth and baptism in Christ, we approached our lives as a matter of days instead of years? We know not the hour or day when we will be called to Heaven, so why do we put off until tomorrow what we can do for Jesus today? Jesus, appearing to the Twelve after his resurrection, said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” Jesus challenged his followers to go wherever was necessary to spread the gospel. Challenge yourself to spread the gospel to new people in the next 40 days. Pray for the courage to stand for Jesus and for Jesus to reach the hearts of new people through your example.

“Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” – John 20: 21-22 NIV