He Is Risen · Stop 6
What does Easter mean for us, for people who doubt, and for people who have died?
Easter isn't over when the candy's gone. The church celebrates for fifty days. Jesus showed up to his friends again and again, including one who didn't believe any of it. Today you'll find out what Easter means for you, and for everyone you love.
Start this stopFifty days
Easter is a season of fifty days, from Easter Sunday to the Day of Pentecost. During those weeks the risen Jesus appeared to his friends, ate with them, and taught them. On the fortieth day of Easter, the church remembers his Ascension.
Thomas missed the first time Jesus appeared. He said he wouldn't believe until he saw the wounds for himself. A week later Jesus came again, and this time he spoke right to Thomas. He showed Thomas his wounds and said, “Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas said, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus didn't turn him away. He showed up.
Easter is also hope for people who have died. Paul wrote that we grieve, but not like people who have no hope. The creed says we believe in the resurrection of the body. Christians trust that God will raise the dead, the way God raised Jesus.
Because Jesus is alive, Easter keeps happening in us. Luther said Baptism means we die and rise with Jesus every day. God forgives us and raises us up, and then we get to forgive others and help them up too.
Read it in your Bible
- John 20:24–29. Thomas wasn't there when the risen Jesus came, and he refuses to believe it. A week later Jesus comes back and invites Thomas to see his wounds. Thomas says, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus blesses everyone who believes without seeing.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13–14. Paul tells the church he doesn't want them to grieve like people without hope. Since Jesus died and rose again, God will bring with him the people who have died.
The Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed
…the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Words to know
- Thomas. The disciple who wouldn't believe until he saw Jesus' wounds. Jesus came back for the doubter. There's room for questions in faith.
- Ascension. Jesus returning to the Father, forty days after Easter. Jesus isn't gone. He's with God, and with us, everywhere at once.
- Doubt. Not being sure. Thomas had it, and Jesus met him there. Faith and doubt often live side by side. Jesus keeps showing up.
- Hope. What Paul says Christians still have when someone dies. We still grieve. But grief isn't the end of the story.
- Alive. What Jesus is, and what Easter makes us too. Easter keeps happening every time we forgive and start over.