I often wonder how people treat the day after a big event. Sometimes the day after a big event almost seems like a letdown. We plan and prepare and build great anticipation toward something and then in a matter of minutes or hours, it is over. For instance, we prepare months for Christmas, buying gifts, preparing special treats, or working on a program for church, and then December 26th comes, and it is over. We celebrate the birth of our Savior coming to earth, starting His journey to redeem us, and then we go back to our normal routine as if nothing happened. Easter rolls around and we do the same thing. We celebrate the ultimate sacrifice for our sins and once again we go back to our old habits and thought processes. A few days ago, we celebrated Memorial Day, a day when we honor those who laid down their lives for our freedom. Are you still thanking God for what they did for you, or has the moment passed? This day after effect may be ok for some things, but it has filtered its way into our faith and that is not ok. Jesus said in John 15:13, that the greatest expression of one for another is to sacrifice our life for someone else. Multitudes of men and women are in eternity somewhere because of their love for their fellowmen. They gave up their freedom so we could experience freedom.
John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
We would all agree that life is the most valuable possession we have, we often think only of our physical lives. Yet, we give little time to our spiritual lives. We go to church, celebrate the Christian holidays, and may even have a daily time with God’s word, but we don’t spend a lot of time thinking about eternity. The day after Jesus’ death on the cross those who followed Him were consumed with grief. It was the Sabbath so they couldn’t anoint His body. However, as soon as day broke, they were at the tomb to take care of a proper burial for their Savior. Little did they realize He had already resurrected. This day after was unlike any other day in history. When they saw Him, they were overcome with joy! For many it was unbelievable. For the next 40 days, they would spend time with Him, eating, learning, and soaking us everything they could about their Master. When he ascended, He left them instructions on how to act the day after He left. They were to go and tell, to teach and make disciples. They would spend the rest of their lives with an eternal perspective. You can’t witness, pray for the lost, and spread the good news of Jesus without thinking of eternity. This is also the command He left for us.
Matthew 28:18-19 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”
While we in America take several days a year to think about our freedom, the 4th of July, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day, we should not forget those who are in the military. We should pray daily for those who are willing to give their lives for our freedom, those who protect us daily. As a Christian, I am never to forget the ultimate price Jesus, God’s only Son, paid to make it possible for me to live eternally in Heaven. The freedom that Jesus grants me is eternal freedom that cannot be matched by anything else. My eyes should always be focused on winning others to Him. I should not have the “normal” day after effect when it comes to spiritual things. Every day is a new day to remember His sacrifice, to look forward to Heaven, and to take as many with me as possible.
Think about it. Do you celebrate Christ each Sunday and have the day after effect each Monday?
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