04/07/2021 IT’S NOT OVER
I Corinthians 15: 3-8 I passed on to you right from the first what had been told to me, that CHRIST died for our sins just as the Scriptures said HE would, and that HE was buried, and that three days afterward HE arose from the grave just as the prophets foretold. HE was seen by Peter and later by the rest of “the Twelve.” After that, HE was seen by more than five hundred Christian brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died by now. Then James saw him and later all the apostles. Last, of all I saw him too, long after the others, as though I had been born almost too late for this.
[Living Bible Translation]
Summary
Many Christians celebrated Easter or Resurrection Sunday with great enthusiasm. Some countries (like Australia, the UK, and others) also celebrate “Easter Monday” as an official holiday. Prior to COVID-19, people in countries that celebrate Easter Monday sometimes had races, games, parades, or other outside Spring activities.
In the United States, we do not recognize Easter Monday as an official federal holiday, but prior to COVID-19, the White House usually had Easter Monday “Egg Roll.” The traditional Easter Monday “Egg Roll” was canceled in 2020 and 2021.
A few places in the world, such as Tasmania, in Australia, and some churches celebrate Easter Tuesday, the day after Easter Monday, as a holiday too. In Great Britain, Easter Tuesday is not an official public holiday, however, many students see Easter Tuesday as an extension of their Easter Monday holiday school break.
But, for the most part, aside from a few “What did you do on Easter Sunday?” most people consider Easter or The Resurrection celebration as “over” until next year.
However, 1 Corinthians 15: 3-8, is a wonderful reminder that it’s not over. In other words, the Resurrection celebration does not end on Resurrection Sunday, Easter Monday, Easter Tuesday, or Easter Wednesday. After JESUS arose, there was a lot of activity and cause for celebration for a long time.
According to the Apostle Paul, writing to the Corinthian church, not only was scripture fulfilled by JESUS doing exactly what HE said HE would do when HE arose from the grave but afterward JESUS did a lot more. Afterward, JESUS touched the lives of a lot of people----Mary Magdalene (John 20:11); Peter (John 21: 15-19); Cleopas and a companion on a walk to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-31); Thomas (John 20:26-29) and many, many others. Paul, describing himself as “the least worthy of all the apostles,” adds in 1 Corinthians 15:8 that he saw JESUS too. [See Paul’s encounter with JESUS Acts 9:5]. Afterward, according to 1 Corinthians 15:6 JESUS was seen by more than five hundred Christian brothers at one time. And After JESUS arose, the book of Acts records the acts of the apostles and the growth of the early church.
Perhaps every living Christian today can say that after JESUS arose, he or she had a personal encounter with JESUS too. And, that it’s still not over.
And according to Paul, the fact that is JESUS rose from the dead means that all who are related to CHRIST who have passed on will become alive again too when JESUS returns! So, it’s not over.