Easter was for some a very quiet, peaceful, reflective time; for others it was the squealing of kids, the hurrying here and there, hiding eggs, retrieving eggs, peeling eggs, etc. Easter was for the disciples a time to be called into action for the sake of God. After the resurrection, their work had only started. They had to testify here and there and give witness to what Jesus had done for them. The arrival of the Holy Spirit gave them the power to be bold and to preach and teach that which they had seen to help the Kingdom of God grow. Some of them even spent the night in prison only to have the prison doors open miraculously. And did they run to the hills to escape? No. They went back to the Temple to continue their work! They were arrested again and brought before the council. There the first question posed to them, "Why have you continued to teach that which we forbid you to teach? If you all don't shut up, the blood of this Jesus was be on us (in other words, don't blame us!). How did Peter and the apostles answer? "We must obey God rather than any human authority. It was God who raised Jesus from the dead; and it was you who killed him by hanging him on a tree. But now God has exalted Jesus as Leader and Savior so that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. All we can do is give witness to these things, as is the Holy Spirit a witness, given to those who boey Him."
Believe it or not there are still people troubled by actions taken, words said, evil thoughts, and other things that we know are sinful, who seek to have these taken away by what we can forgiveness and repentance. Some do not know what to do about these feelings and thus go their lives living in bitter ways because they have not yet had the weight of these sins taken away. So, the work started by the Holy Spirit with the apostles is not over yet; there is still much to do to share the truth of God's love and compassion to those who would receive it and change their ways from a certain path to death, to a certain and eternal path to life. That is the continuing Easter message.
What is your role? To be a part of those who give witness to God!
Are you ready?
PRAYER: Loving God, include and use me! In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Thought for the Day
Put me in, Coach! I'm ready to be a witness to those who still hurt and suffer from the weight of their sins.
