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April 13, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional

April 13, 2020 by Rev. John Hartman

“After Easter”

Back in 1970, I remember a CBS TV show called, “Can You Top This?” It wasn’t on very long, only 8 months. As you might guess, that notorious game show host, Wink Martindale, with his pearly white teeth, was the host. The way it worked was that each week a celebrity would read jokes submitted by viewers, while a group of panelists (all professional comedians) would try to top the viewer's jokes with their own version on the same subject. The viewer would earn $25 for having the joke read by the guest, an additional $25 for each panelist that was unable to top the viewer's joke, and $100 and a nice prize, such as an audio cassette player (don’t forget this was 1970), if he/she topped all three panelists.

After Easter, after the resurrection, after the truth that Jesus Christ is risen, and that he is alive, there is a temptation for us to wonder, “Well, what now?” In other words, can you top this? Well, I am not sure about topping the resurrection, but the mission of Jesus Christ continues, only it now works through us, — the Church. We are called to build relationships with spiritually hungry people who are seeking something on which to build their lives. And so, being “after Easter” Christians means knowing the truth which can set people free, and give them a foundation on which they can build their lives. After Easter means we study God’s word, find out more who it says Jesus is, and then live it out in practical, tangible, faithful ways.

God meant for the Church to be like a family where people experience a sense of belonging and feel at home. God meant for the Church to be a building erected upon the lives and ministries of the apostles and prophets and whose chief cornerstone is Christ Jesus our Savior and our Lord. As stones who are each a part of that building, we find a sense of stability and security. We are a part of something that will stand the test of time.

By God’s grace, let’s be that kind of church to the world where we live every day. By the empowering, refreshing breeze of God’s Spirit, let us be that kind of church together.