Happy Easter from my family to yours. Everything changed that first Easter not quite 2000 years ago. A new day dawned in the hearts and minds of Jesus’ disciples. While darkness enveloped them all Friday and Saturday, Jesus’ light blasted through Sunday.
Easter, the most important date on the Christian calendar, is a reminder of Who Jesus was and is – the Son of God, the resurrected Christ! There were no bones in the tomb! He was dead and buried. Then He rose from the dead, met with His disciples and was seen by the many! What a first Easter morn that was! Transformation begins!
… Jesus came and stood in their midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” And when Jesus said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; just as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” - John 20:19-22. Jesus appeared before His disciples in a glorified body. Wow! Fifty days later, yet another dimension was introduced just as Jesus had said: “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” – John 14:26; When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. – Acts 2:1-4; Transformational change was in full force for the disciples and the early Church. Years later, Paul charged the Church: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. – Romans 12:2. This was a call for discipline to not fall back into old patterns. Embracing transformational change from their traditions was not an easy task with the type of persecution the early Church witnessed every day. The call for dads today is to practice the discipline needed to turn from the pattern of this world. This requires the renewing of your mind. As you reflect on Easter and the empty tomb, accept the Pentecost challenge - Focus on renewing your mind by reading Scripture daily. Start with Acts and read through Jude across the next fifty days. And let the transformation begin.
There are 149 chapters from Acts through Jude. The Pentecost challenge is to read three chapters a day for fifty days. Tips for letting the Transformation Begin:
Create a consistent 30-minute window of time each day;
Pray briefly for the Holy Spirit to open your heart and mind to God’s word;
Read three chapters of Scripture, starting with Acts 1, 2 & 3;
Write down a verse or two that resonates with you;
Close in prayer incorporating the passage written down.
Prayer guide: Father, thank You for Your word. I confess that I have leaned on others – preachers, family and friends to explain Your word instead of reading it for myself. Forgive me. I do want to be transformed by the renewing of my mind. Grant me the strength and discipline needed celebrate this Easter to the full by taking on the Pentecost challenge. And may that be the beginning of Your transformational work in me to become the dad You call me to be, the dad my kids need to see. Amen.
A faithful father celebrates Easter to the full by accepting the Pentecost challenge.
