Joy and Amazement

​Can you imagine how surprised the disciples were on that first Easter morning? Some of the women watched as they laid him in the tomb and rolled the stone over the entrance. There was absolutely no way they could have conceived or even hoped for what God had in store for their future.
 
I like the way Luke records the story.  When Jesus pops into the room where they were meeting behind close doors, Jesus says, “Peace, be with you.” Luke reports, “They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.”  And then Jesus shows them his hands and feet, and asks for something to eat . . . everyone knows ghost don’t eat. After he snacks on a piece of broiled fish, Luke records one of my favorite lines in the resurrection narratives: “They still did not believe it because of joy and amazement.”  I think this is Luke’s way of saying; this is too good to be true!
 
God designed life with the intention of surprising us with joy and amazement. As you walk through your day how many times do you say, this is too good to be true? When we set our eyes on Jesus and place our hope in his self-giving love and our confidence in the power of his resurrection, we will be surprised at the way God shows up in the little details of our lives.
 
What would change if we lived everyday as if it were Easter morning?  Would we see people differently and appreciate life more? How would we walk through the day if we thought Jesus might just pop in and surprise us with his presence? 

If you want to discover the answer to these questions, find a few friends today and celebrate life together.  Marvel about the resurrection of Jesus like it was the first Easter morning. Who knows, God might surprise you with joy and amazement.   ​