The Saturday before Easter has always struck me as an interesting day. Jesus told His disciples He would rise on the third day, but that idea was beyond what they could fully grasp. So on that Saturday, after He had said He would “rise again,” His disciples were hiding. What is it like living between the Cross and the Resurrection?
Imagine This
What if they had truly believed He was coming back to life? Would they have been camped out near the tomb, waiting through the night for Sunday morning, talking together about all Jesus had done and what it would mean when He rose from the dead?
But they weren’t.
The women who arrived that Sunday morning came with spices to bury a dead body.
The apostles were locked away in fear.
And yet—Jesus did rise.
And once He appeared to them, it changed everything.
It changed them.
And through them, it changed the world.
The Present Day World (You)
Now, here we are in, here and now in the present. We know how the story ends.
Jesus rose from the dead, and His followers went out and changed the world by telling people what He had done.
And we’ve heard the promise He gave—that He’s coming back.
John 14:2-3 NIV
My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
So the question is: As we wait for Jesus to return, how are we spending our time?
Are we like those frightened disciples—hiding, unsure if what Jesus said is really true?
“It’s been 2,000 years. Is He really coming back?”
And so we carry on, taking care of business, living as if this life is all there is.
We are His. He calls us to be different. To live differently, with Him by His Spirit, as a beacon inside of us, shining for all to see. Not through our works or in our power, but through the reflection of His light and love through us.
John 8:12 AMP
Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, “I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
And if we have the light of life, then…
Matthew 5:16 AMP
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.
A Different Kind of Disciple
One who believes what Jesus said and lives each day like we know He’s coming back is different and rare.
A different kind of disciple is one living like they are camped out near the empty tomb—talking about what Jesus has done in their lives. As if one is looking forward to what it will mean when He returns.
Like Moon and Planets
We need to be like the moon or the planets. They don’t create any light on their own. They simply reflect the light of the sun. And yet, look how brightly they shine in the night sky.
That’s what Jesus calls us to do. Not to be the source of the light, but to reflect His light—to love God and love others—so the world can see Jesus shining through our lives.
The Challenge of the Week
Living between the cross and the Resurrection – you have a choice. Are you going to be a disciple who camps out as a tomb watcher on Saturday, hoping something is going to happen? Are you just going to go about your everyday life on your own as if nothing will happen? Or will you live today, every day, every step of the way, knowing He will return?
“Let this little light of mine shine,” so be it!
Note: This post was taken from a social media post that an old friend of mine recently made. I made very little changes to it and posted it with his permission. Thanks Rod McKenzie. Rod and I served in Youth for Christ, USA, in local ministries reaching lost teens for Christ (backyard and street missionaries). Rod’s gift was (and still is) reaching the tougher crowds of teens in the Chicago area.
Check out his ministry – Higher Up Ministries
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Thanks so much for sharing this and for the nice flourishes that made it sound easier to understand.
I Love the Capital C Church mindset where all who trust in Jesus are moving forward together serving The Kingdom of Christ
And Rod, beautiful post you made with great insights. That’s why I wanted to use it, so thank you for allowing me so. Glad to have you as a friend over all these years!