Later he appeared to the Eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table. He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who saw him after he had risen. Then he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. —Mark 16:14-16

So the Lord Jesus, after speaking to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word by the accompanying signs.—Mark 16:19-20

“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”—Acts 1:11

What a glorious celebration! Easter Sunday is such an amazing celebration! It’s not all about the candy and the eggs. Jesus conquered sin and death. He paid the debt we owe, so that we could experience salvation from eternal punishment.

…but, that was yesterday. Easter Sunday has come and gone. What now? Mow the yard, eat the candy, figure out something to make with the boiled Easter eggs, go back to work like normal? It seems a bit anticlimactic to just go back to everyday life when just yesterday we celebrated the most exciting event in history. The story isn’t over, though. We have a mission.

Jesus appeared to the disciples and He rebuked their unbelief. Are we sitting in a period of unbelief? All God’s promises come true. May we seek forgiveness for our complacency and doubts. Let’s not allow the excitement of Easter to dwindle. Keep it alive by sharing the news that He has risen. Jesus commanded us to share that message of salvation. One day, He’s returning to claim His own. Let’s not be found sitting in despair. Let’s be found celebrating salvation and sharing it for others to experience. Let’s take on the excitement of Mary Magdalene who “went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord!’” (John 20:18) There’s an exclamation at the end of her pronouncement. She was obviously, and rightly so, very excited! Because of Easter, we have life, glorious life!