The Resurrection Holiday can remind us of the lengths that God will go to love, pursue, and commit to us. The cross of Calvary is proof that God would spare nothing – not even His only Son – to redeem humanity.
And still God’s love doesn’t stop there in the Resurrection story. Yes, Jesus died and rose from the grave. But Jesus chose to do something else as well. He lingered….
I don’t know about you, but after hard work or strenuous activities, I’m usually ready to rest and rejuvenate so I can face the next phase of my duties.
Jesus had rescued the lost, healed the sick, raised the dead, cast out demons, and preached countless sermons – all while training and equipping His disciples. Jesus had confronted religious fanatics, set order in temples, and met individuals at their most desperate times – all while preparing to go to a cross.
He’d put in the work and fulfilled His ultimate mission: to die and rise again. Yet Jesus chose not to express a curt goodbye and quickly leave the scene. He lingered….
During the forty days after he suffered and died, Jesus appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.
Acts 1:3 (NLT)
During this time Jesus did things like restore Peter after his denial (John 21: 15 – 17), give instruction about the disciples’ next steps (Matthew 28: 18-20), and teach about the role of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1: 4-5).
And we, too, can expect God to continue to linger in our own lives. The Resurrection holiday season is not limited to special church services, new spring clothing, egg hunts, and family dinners.
Some of you may have recommitted to tending more to the spiritual matters of your lives, families, and homes. Perhaps you have invited God in to resurrect some things that need new life.
Whatever the case, you can trust the God who lingers…
God loves to be with you and longs for you to continuously come to him – well beyond the holiday season…
For the Lord will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance.
Psalm 94:14
__
Keturah A. Ford 
Leave a Reply