Happy Easter Monday!

Although many of us may have washed the dishes and put the Easter baskets away for another year, the impact of Jesus’s resurrection is still going strong!

Easter Monday was initially instituted as a time for rest following the celebration that took place on Sunday. In some countries, such as the U.K. and Australia, it remains a national holiday, a day filled with community sports and activities such as egg rolling contests. 

The days following Easter are important! For forty days after He left the tomb, Jesus chose to reveal Himself to His closest followers and many others. Although we don’t have a lot of details about those forty days, we know that Jesus proved to many that He was really alive. He appeared to Mary Magdalene, Peter, and the disciples. He spoke with people, ate with them, and showed them his scars. Acts 1:3 says, “After his suffering, He presented Himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive.” And 1 Corinthians 15:6 tells us, “He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time.” The days following the resurrection leave us no doubt that Jesus had actually risen from the dead.

The number forty appears numerous times throughout the Bible, usually signifying a season of testing, preparation, or transition. And we know that Jesus used these forty days to prepare His disciples for the next stage: they were to spread His message of salvation to all nations. Their commitment to their mission, to the point of being willing to die for it, is testament to the truth of Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection.

We may have celebrated the empty tomb on Easter Sunday, but the celebrating is not over! Jesus conquered death. Then he walked the earth. He spent time with His followers.  He armed them with the understanding and faith they would need to establish His church. So today the celebration continues.

Jesus, thank you for your willingness to endure pain, suffering , and death for my sake. Thank you for spending time on this earth after your resurrection to make known the evidence of your victory over death. Help me hold fast to the truth of your resurrection every day!