The past few days were unsettling. Especially if your name was Mary. Or Peter. James. John. Part of Jesus’ traveling band of friends.
You’ve been on the Golgotha roller coaster. Skull Mountain Express. Arrest. Closed-door trial. Public whipping. Crucifixion parade. Drawn out execution. Burial.
Then wham. Thrown back in your seat. Empty tomb. Crazy claims. No body. Wait – yes, body. As in, alive body. Jesus breathing and walking and talking.
Jesus commissioning: “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” (John 20:21-23)
Try wrapping your head around that. All is good Thursday at dinner. Everything goes to hell-in-a-hand-basket late that evening. The finality of a cross Friday afternoon. Closed up tomb.
But then Sunday morning. Game-changer. Culminating with a new season Sunday evening. “Here’s my Spirit poured into you. You’re now sent ones. Apostles.”
On this Easter Monday spend some time revisiting the last few days. Read the last few chapters of a Gospel. Consider the shock. Contemplate the awe. Grasp the calling Jesus placed on those men and women.
It’s the same calling He’s placed on you. It’s the same Spirit He’s placed in you.
History pivoted last weekend. Nothing’s the same. Neither are you. Hallelujah.