Practicing the Resurrection

I had a friend on Facebook last week post that for pastors, the week after Easter is equal to Christmas vacation.  I don’t know what planet he’s writing from, but I’ve never known that to be the case.  This week following Easter I have two funerals, a youth retreat to prepare for, as well as the usual visitation, sermon and worship prep that comes with a standard work-week as a Pastor.  “Christmas-vacation” – as if!

I think that having funerals the week after Easter Sunday, or any time of the year for that matter, is kind of like putting your faith to the test.  “Do you really believe all that stuff you said last week?”  If Christ is raised, if we believe in a living savior who has conquered death and sin, how does that change the way you mourn the loss of a loved one?  How does that change your view of death, but also your view of the life you now live?

This week I have the opportunity to celebrate the victory of these two saints who have now joined the Church triumphant.  I celebrate their lives, I mourn their passing, and I anticipate with great hope and longing the day when we shall be brought together, those who sleep and those who live, as we meet the Lord in the air.

I heard about a mansion He has built for me in glory
And I heard about the streets of gold beyond the crystal sea
About the angels singing and the old redemption story
And some sweet day I’ll sing up there the song of victory.

O victory in Jesus my Savior forever
He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood
He loved me ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.

SDG