The celebration of Easter Sunday is complete. Sunday is over. Now what? What do we do with the story?

“While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.” Matthew 28:11-15 

There are only 2 ways to receive the Easter story. We either believe in the resurrection of Christ or reject it. The women believed! They SAW it with their own eyes. They witnessed his death, buried his body and were in mourning. An angel appears before them and tells them, “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee” Matthew 28: 6-7. His body was gone, unwrapped from the linens. The stone was rolled away. These ladies had been through a lot and their job was not done. Now they had to go and tell the disciples. They were afraid yet filled with joy. Can you imagine? Then they see Jesus himself standing before them. He tells them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me” Matthew 28:10. They GO!

What you are about to read are Jesus’s last words he spoke to his disciples. Have you ever been by someone’s side when they said their last words before they departed this earth? You hang on to them. They mean everything to you. If you are a believer and follower of Christ, these words should mean everything to you. He gives us the Great Commission. He didn’t give them to us to just read. He wants us to go and do! We have very specific work to do.

“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20

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Our family witnessed 17 baptism’s downtown Boerne, TX on Easter Sunday. We saw an entire family, dad, mom, and children, a granddad baptized his grandson, and a father baptized his son all in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It was beautiful. I couldn’t help but tear up visualizing Christ looking on and receiving the GLORY for this RESURRECTION SUNDAY!

How are you telling the story of Christ? How are you making disciples? Are you believing like the women, or are you like the guards that watched and yet still lied about what they saw?

I saw this quote in a book I’m reading and it really made me stop and think:

“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ.” Attributed to Mahatma Ghandi

As seekers and unbelievers watch us, do they they think the same way Ghandi thinks? Are we resembling the true Christ and what He represents? Do we go into the valley’s with people and walk life with them, or do we think of ourselves too highly and only associate with other believers? If we are, we are missing our purpose as disciples completely. We have to be willing to go and do like He did. “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” Matthew 11:5

Let’s get out there and GO! I want to be a part of someone coming to know the Lord and finding their salvation. Don’t you? We have work to do…the Easter Story is only the beginning of the story. We get to be a part of completing it. What an honor!

Father, we simply PRAISE you! Thank you for the good news that has passed down from generation to generation because of other disciples being willing to GO and TELL.  We proclaim that all authority and power is YOURS in heaven and on earth. Give us the courage and strength to be willing to go where you call us to go. Some of us, Lord, you call to go into the real trenches overseas as missionaries, some of us you call to the widows and homeless, some you call to the ill and hurting and some you call to love and be the light in our homes and communities. Wherever you call us, Lord, let us be your people that say Yes, Lord, it is I, Lord. Send ME! We want to be your sold out disciples that resemble who YOU are and bring honor and glory to your name. Help us Lord to serve you fervently! It’s in Your SON’s most HOLY name we pray, Amen!