Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him. [1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (NLT)]
Found in almost every Roman Catholic church (and some Protestant and Orthodox ones), are the Stations of the Cross—a series of fourteen icons or carvings on the walls—each of which depict a moment in the Passion of Christ. Created to help people contemplate the events leading up to Christ’s crucifixion, they start with His death sentence from Pilate and end with His dead and battered body being laid in the tomb. Because Good Friday and Jesus’ death aren’t the end of the story, some churches have begun adding the resurrected Christ as a 15th station.
More recently, the idea of “Stations of the Resurrection” has taken hold in both Roman Catholic and Protestant traditions. While the Stations of the Cross depict just one day in the life of Christ, the Stations of the Resurrection illustrate the 50 days of Eastertide. There is no official list of “stations” but they usually begin with the angel speaking to the women at the empty tomb. They continue through the days Jesus remained on earth showing events like Jesus on the road to Emmaus and His appearance to the disciples on Easter, as well as His appearances to Thomas, the disciples on the shore, and the 500 mentioned by Paul. After portraying Jesus’ Ascension on the 40th day, the “stations” conclude either with the Holy Spirit’s descent on the 50th day (Pentecost) or Jesus’ appearance to Paul on the road to Damascus.
Having spent the season of Lent spiritually preparing for Good Friday and Easter Sunday, we shouldn’t need the Stations of the Cross or those of the Resurrection to help us remember Christ’s suffering, death, and rising from the dead. Nevertheless, once we put away the Easter baskets, we may not give Easter another thought until the following year. Easter, however, is more than one day; it is a liturgical season called Eastertide. Lasting for seven weeks, it concludes with Pentecost. Why not spend these weeks reading about and meditating on those 50 days in the gospels and Acts. Imagine the shock of finding an empty tomb. What was it like for Cleopas when he realized the stranger with whom he’d walked, talked, and broken bread was the resurrected Messiah? If you’d been one of His frightened followers hiding in a locked room, how would you react to seeing Jesus miraculously appear? Visualize seeing the scars on His hands and feet. What was it like to have breakfast with Him on the beach and to walk with Him, hear His voice, and witness His miracles once again? Can you imagine watching Jesus ascend into Heaven? Picture what it was like that 50th day on Pentecost when the disciples were filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. Consider how Peter, the one who denied Christ three times, became the one who boldly proclaimed Him “Lord and Messiah.” The Easter story doesn’t end at Easter, or even at Pentecost; it continues to unfold today!
Christ’s resurrection is the most powerful world-shaping event in history. It is why we are freed from our sins and live in hope not fear! The good news of Easter is so good that we should continue to celebrate Christ’s resurrection long after the rest of the world (having eaten the last of the Peeps and chocolate rabbits) is thinking about the next holiday. Remembering Easter and the events that followed should be an important part of our spiritual lives—not just for the 50 days of Eastertide—but all year long. As Augustine of Hippo said, “We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our hymn of praise!” Let us be Easter people all year long. Alleluia!
Devotions of the Heart 