WE BELONG TO JESUS

KEYWORD reason (noun): a rational ground or motive, an explanation, a cause 

So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. Romans 14:8-9 NIV

Happy Day after Easter!

How did you celebrate? Egg hunts? Church? A family get-together?

Easter to me is a holiday to rest and rejoice–with less hustle and preparation than Christmas or Thanksgiving or even Halloween. Signs of spring, plenty of candy, and cute little bunnies and chickens make it light and fun.

But none of those things are the real reason that Easter is my favorite holiday.

This devotion posts on the day after Easter this year. As I write, I think of the disciples and imagine how the days following the first Easter must have felt for them. The events of the past three days had probably left them traumatized. Even though their friend Jesus had possibly come back to life, they were not able to rest or rejoice yet. They were hiding together behind locked doors–confused and terrified–trying to figure out what was going on. All they knew for sure was that Jesus’ body was not in the tomb, and they were in danger.

What a relief that 2,000 years later, we don’t have to be afraid or confused. As we celebrate the risen Lord Jesus, we can rest. We can rejoice. We can be reminded of the sacrifice Jesus made in dying for us on the cross and reassured of how very much God loves each one of us.

Easter is my favorite because of the R words. Here are some more…

RESURRECTION–the miracle of Jesus’ empty tomb that shocked everyone and changed everything. Death defeated, and the gift of eternal life freely given to all who believe in him.

RENEWAL–the joy of a fresh start every single day. My friend Angie likes to say that God’s mercies are not only new every morning, but every moment. He never gives up on us.

RELATIONSHIP–the gift we receive when we surrender our hearts to Jesus. We become his children and his friends with the privilege of talking to him at any time of the day or night. He will never leave or abandon us.

REDEMPTION–the price the innocent Jesus paid on the cross as he died a criminal’s death in our place. The agony and separation he suffered means our worst mistakes and deepest regrets can be redeemed by his power and love. Nothing is beyond his grace.

And REASON–you and me. We are the reason Jesus lived, we are the reason he died, and we are the reason he rose again. And because of this, we can forever rejoice knowing that we have the very best reason to live and to love. 

Dear Jesus, thank you for the miracle of the first Easter weekend. I want to celebrate every day your life and death and resurrection. Your victory over sin and death is the reason I can truly rest and rejoice. Amen.

TAKE YOUR TICKET 

We Belong to Jesus  

Let’s take a deep breath of gratitude that Jesus is our Lord whether we live or die. Because of what he did that first Easter, we can be sure that we belong to him forever.