Eastertide and Beyond

Easter is over, now what? In this season of Eastertide, we recall the recent events of Lent, Holy Week and Easter.  The Lenten journey provided time for personal reflection and confession. On Palm Sunday we had an opportunity to ponder the meaning of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  His joyful reception there was cause for celebration. The sacred Maundy Thursday event, however, was tainted by the ominous signs of betrayal and denial. We gained new insight about foot washing, servanthood and the Last Supper. Then the crucifixion of Jesus on Friday created an atmosphere of fear, doubt, betrayal, denial, desertion, death and forgiveness. The ensuing Saturday was shrouded in silence. But Sunday came, and we celebrated the resurrection of the crucified Jesus. Now, the observances of Lent, Holy Week and the Easter celebration are over, finished.

The word finished is reminiscent of Jesus’ words from the cross. “When Jesus had received the wine, he said, It is finished. Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit” (John 19:30). If we are to understand Jesus’ declaration from the cross, we must be sure to consider his purpose and mission. First, God had a purpose: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life” (John 3:16). Second, Jesus, the Son of God, had a purpose. He knew that he “must be about His Father’s business” (Luke 2:49). In Luke 19:10 Jesus said, “The son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” During his earthly ministry, Jesus sought out the poor, the destitute, those who were suffering, and sinners. Also, he boldly mingled with the tax collectors and other “undesirable” men and women.

In John’s gospel, Jesus said: “I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do” (John 17:4). So, Jesus asked to be glorified. On the cross, as he was about to give up his spirit, he cried out: “It is finished.”

It is helpful to remember that Jesus had trained his disciples to carry on his work into the future. Jesus knew that he would one day depart from them. Jesus, therefore, ultimately equipped the disciples by giving them the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. Perhaps on the cross, Jesus felt some sense of relief. His work was now complete. His disciples would be ready to carry on the work of ministry after Pentecost.

“It is finished.” Clearly and absolutely, however, our own life work is not finished. Three of John Wesley’s historic questions are apropos here. First, “are you going on to perfection?” Second, “do you expect to be made perfect in this life?” Third, “are you earnestly striving after it?”

The United Methodist Church needs spiritual leaders, lay and clergy, who are on the spiritual path together. While journeying together on the spiritual path, these leaders are earnestly striving after perfection in love. They do the work of ministry with Love.

Are you daily working out your own salvation in the spirit of Jesus, Paul and John Wesley? That’s what it takes for Easter people to do the work of ministry faithfully on all fronts today.

Think About It!