After the Resurrection

One of the first songs I was introduced to that was not a Christian hymn was “The Champion” by Carmen. This song includes powerful lyrics describing the spiritual battle to determine who would rule the world. Through Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, He has won! He has won! He is the Champion!

What happens after a battle has been won? When your favorite team wins a game, what do you do? When my favorite team, University of Michigan Wolverines, wins a game I shout for JOY. My screams of happiness and leaps of excitement are not always seen as favorable by my family. This is because I married into a “split” family. Many of my in-laws are Michigan State Spartan fans of which are our rivals.

Following this year’s Easter celebration, the JOY I felt was overwhelming. The JOY was based on gratitude of God’s gift of His only Son. It led me to wonder what Jesus’ followers felt after His resurrection. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all wrote what they did on that first Easter. Rather than JOY, each account speaks of fear. The apostles along many of the believers ran after the crucifixion, and locked the door; choosing to forget the words of truth.

There are several reasons for their fear. The Sanhedrin had sent an order for soldiers to search the streets looking for believers with an order to capture them. They wanted to end the rumors that Jesus’ was the Messiah.  I can relate to this fear personally.

When I was 16, I was attacked. I yelled to God out loud telling Him to stop this man to get off of me. He answered my prayer and that is why I can say I endured an attempted rape. I ran home, took a shower, locked my bedroom door, and hid from the truth that God had rescued me. For ten years, I hated God for allowing the man to even touch me. I lived in fear that I would be attacked again. I looked over my shoulder; as the disciples were doing, looking for the “soldiers” who might be ready to capture me.  When have you run from God in fear? What was the reason?

The story is not a sad one. God can turn our fear into dancing. As the disciples were shaking in fear behind the locked doors, Jesus walked through the door appearing ALIVE! At that moment, the believers focused only on Him the Present. They forgot the Past of the crucifixion, soldiers, and their fear. His words of truth reminded them again of HOPE, JOY, and FUTURE. Their faces radiated with JOY. Did the crucifixion happen? Were the soldiers still there? Was the danger removed? The past and dangers did not go away of course, but Jesus was Present.

My dear friend Angela was the first one I shared the truth of my trauma. Her response shocked me. “That was the Past. I can’t understand it but God is awesome that He has brought you through it all. I wonder what He is going to do with your Future.” My sarcastic reply, “There is a Future?” I had never thought about the future. I had been consumed with the Past. Her words sent me that night to cry out asking God to show Himself to me. Through tears He comforted me. I knew He was going to lead me to the highest mountain overlooking amazing waterfalls. Was the Past still there? Yes, but My Jesus was and is and will ever be Present! He is turning my fear into dancing. I will tell you though my son and others say my dance moves are scary.

Let’s go back to the locked doors with the disciples. Another reason for their fear at that time was overwhelming guilt. Each of the Gospels, as well as in Acts, Jesus’ followers were unable to move. Yes, they were Jesus’ believers; however, they played a part of the crucifixion. They did not speak up. They watched. How many of us have been in a situation where someone or something was wrong and we have not helped?

I feel guilt quite often. I feel guilt when I am driving to pick up my son from school and see a dog running lost through the neighborhood. I know I don’t have time to rescue the dog as my son is waiting for me. I have to help the dog but am unable to. My guilt is overwhelming when I think of the woman who I know was raped by the man who attempted to rape me. If I had spoken up, perhaps he could have been stopped before striking again. How many other victims were affected that I do not know of?  Peter in Acts 2:22-24 assured the believers that the resurrection wipes out all sins. "Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." (Acts 2:22-24 NIV) Jesus brought a mentor into my life in my early 20’s who shared the same message. Josh McDowell states it well in his book “Evidence for the Resurrection: What It Means for Your Relationship with God”

“The resurrection of Christ demonstrated that no sin is too terrible to be forgiven. Even though he took onto his bleeding back every sin that every on of us ever committed, God still resurrected him from the dead. Even the worst of our sins were taken to the grave and left there forever. Even though we have all done terribly foul things in our lives, the empty tomb of Jesus means that we are not condemned; we are forgiven.” (Evidence for the Resurrection: What It Means for Your Relationship with God by Josh McDowell) 

After the resurrection and the battle has been won, what will you do? It is my hope and prayer the you will accept his forgiveness. God wants you to be free. He wants to turn your fear into JOY. I am still learning this. Will you help hold me accountable in this and others in this group? What have you learned in your studies about how the believers reacted after the resurrection?

• When have you run from God in fear? What was the reason?
• How many of us have been in a situation where someone or something was wrong and we have not helped?
• In what way has God turned your fear into JOY?
• What have you learned in your studies about how the believers reacted after the resurrection?