Remember His Words

Written by Dorian Watson, M.A.

“And they remembered his words.” Luke 24:8 ESV

Our modern American lives can have us running around at a mind-numbing pace. Constantly jumping from one appointment to the next, meeting work demands, taking care of our families, and trying to maintain relationships with our friends can leave us worn out and longing for a break. In the midst of all that, as believers, we try to ensure that our relationship with God doesn’t fall by the wayside. However, distractions can arise, or we purposefully create them, so that we can have some time for ourselves. We can do our best to make it a priority, but somehow the zeal we have during holiday seasons wanes, and we discover that our faith has become another item that makes our lives hectic and numbs our minds.

The disciples were perplexed by the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Even though He had told them that He “must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised” (Luke 9:22), they were really at a loss when the reality of it occurred. The women who went to the tomb got a great surprise when they went to anoint Jesus’ body. They encountered the supernatural and were told, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen” (Luke 24:5-6a). The angels told them to remember what Jesus had told them, and they went and told others what they had been reminded of.

As we are just a few weeks removed from the celebration of Resurrection Sunday and are a few months out from the celebration of Christ’s birth, I want to encourage you to remember. “I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things” (2 Peter 1:13-15). Do not forget to intentionally celebrate the beauty and holiness of God with excitement and fervor during the rest of the year. The hype and anticipation of the season has the potential to make the rest of the year seem more mundane, but the Lenten Season, Holy Week, and Advent should not be the only times we are intentional about celebrating and honoring the life, death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior. Family and friends should be encouraged to worship with us on a random Sunday in May in the same manner that they are at Easter. We should get dressed up in honor of Christ. We should gather together in our homes and reflect on the life of Jesus. We should be kind and love one another. Remember His words.

“Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” Romans 12:11 ESV