Don't Fall into the After-Easter Blues

“Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 15:57

Don’t fall into the “After-Easter Blues”

No, that title is not a new song I am writing.  It’s an encouragement!  For 6 weeks we went through the season of Lent preparing for Easter.  Then during Holy Week, we followed Jesus to the Upper Room and the Garden of Gethsemane on Maundy Thursday, stood by as Jesus was condemned to death by Pontius Pilate and crucified on Good Friday.  Waited silently on Saturday.  And then burst forth in joy on Easter Sunday celebrating Jesus resurrection from the dead – His victory over death is our victory!

    I know that the week seemed kind of strange, as we watched the services online or listened on the radio.  But even though we all practiced social distancing, Jesus didn’t distance Himself from us.  He kept His Word to be present with us through His Word.  He kept His promise to fill our hearts with joy in the resurrection.  He kept His Word to give us exactly what He won through His death and resurrection and that is forgiveness and eternal life.  Yes, His victory is yours by faith!

    But now that Easter is over, do you feel a little down?  It seems that nothing has really changed in our lives.  We are still under the Safer-at-Home order and it has been extended till the end of May.  We still can’t do the things we used to do three weeks ago.  We still are social distancing and, at times, isolated from each other.  We don’t know when this will be all over.  So where is the joy? 

     Don’t forget Easter and what Jesus has done for you!  Don’t let yourself fall into those “after-Easter blues.”  As you deal with all the weirdness in the world today, don’t focus on the world, but on the One who conquered sin and death.  Don’t focus on the things you can’t do right now, but on the One who has done everything for you and your salvation.  Don’t focus on the life you used to have, but on the One who has given you true life – eternal life.  Take this time to bask in the message of Easter again and again.  Continually go back to Jesus’ Word for the strength found in His promises – the promise of forgiveness, the promise of life, the promise of His care – promises He will not break! 

   As we focus on Jesus, you and I will continue to keep that Easter joy in our hearts so that we can say with St. Paul above – “Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

  Take care, be safe, care for each other and may God give you that peace found in Jesus!

En Cristo,

Pastor Joel Sauer, St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Sturgeon Bay