The weeks following major events can always feel like a bit of an anti-climax-and the church is not immune. Post Christmas and Post Easter can feel a bit flat.
The lunches are not as good! The anticipation we feel about worship is more muted. There is less excitement, less panache, less décor —(although ironically those weeks after more resemble the original Easter than the special events do!) It’s easy to forget that the Easter morning of A.D. 33 didn’t come with kilos of chocolate and specials on the telly. Those disciples huddled together in fear, not faith. They tended their wounds, not researched entertainment. And then — then — they worshiped Jesus.
They worshiped Jesus not because of what they had to offer, but because he bombarded their worlds with hope. He exploded the walls of their doubt and fear with the irrefutable fact that the grave had not won, that death had been defeated, that the guilt and power of sin had been slain. They were astonished! And Jesus walked in with his life-changing peace.
Jesus stepped into their space in the same way he steps into ours by his Spirit — as the resurrected Christ, the reigning King, the Lord of all. He comes as the one who is not served by human hands as though he needed anything, but who gives to all mankind life and hope, forgiveness and a new start. He comes as the one whose glory is not contrived by our praise, but whose glory compels our praise — even today, even on this “normal” Sunday.
Or, perhaps, he compels our praise especially on this normal Sunday because we’re reminded that worship is not focussed on us- it’s focussed on Him. It’s not about us bringing our best, but about finding him as better. We come to him who first came to us. And we come to discover St Francis advice turns out to be true:
“It is in giving [praise] that we receive”
So the ancient traditions of the church keep us praising – The Octave of Easter – The Te-Deum, and Gloria are sung, and each Sunday for the 50 day period called ‘Eastertide’ is treated as a Sunday of Easter. Keep praising – Easter isn’t over – it’s never over!
What shall we render the Lord Jesus for all his resurrection benefits? We will lift up the cup of salvation and call upon his name.
– Phil
