Now what?? When was the last time you heard those words coming from your lips? Maybe it was after receiving a letter from your bank, or your doctor’s office, or some other official looking letter that you weren’t expecting. Now what? I remember asking that question of myself when we brought our first newborn child home and placing him in his crib in our apartment. Now what! I can also remember that question being asked after each of my graduations; from high school, from college, and even from seminary. There was always the sense of, now what? It means, OK, what comes next.
Recently I read an article from a fellow Dakota’s Conference pastor who asked that question in relation to Easter. He wrote, “So, Easter has come and gone. Now what?” That is such a great question!
That was the exact question being asked by the women that went to the tomb that first Easter morning. It was the question being asked by the disciples when they finally came to realize that Jesus was alive again. It was the question asked by the two followers walking on the road to Emmaus, not sure what to believe anymore. It was the question Thomas was asking after saying he wouldn’t believe Jesus was alive unless he saw him and touched him for himself.
In our lives today, we ask the question too. Now what? The palm branches have mostly been disposed of, the Easter lilies have been taken to individuals’ homes, and people are now starting to focus on confirmations, graduations, summer camping trips, Vacation Bible School, etc. What does our belief in Easter, or Jesus’ resurrection mean for us today? Truly, the question is, Now what??
My first “Now What” response is that we need to be on the lookout for Jesus. I’m guessing the disciples were much that way. Those first few days after Resurrection Day, they were wondering when and where they’d see Jesus next. We also need to have our eyes and hearts keenly aware and on the lookout for where we will see Jesus next; in a smile, in an act of compassion, in a prayer, in a statement of praise, in a sunrise, in a robin’s song, etc.
My second “Now What” response is that we need to be living out Jesus’ presence in the world. Jesus is truly alive, and he is also alive within us as his followers. Our lives are to be dedicated to living for and living out the Good News of Jesus’ love in the world today. In other words, Jesus sightings should be taking place in how we live our day to day lives. So, yes, as the Easter Eggs are put away, as the chocolate bunnies are finished up, as all the symbols and signs of Easter slowly disappear, the real sign of Easter and Jesus being alive, needs to continue within each of us. That is our “Now What” for today, tomorrow, and every day! Maybe that is what Jesus means by, “By this all people will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35. This is also how others will know Jesus is alive. This is our Now What!
Pastor Keith