What now?

April 21, 2014

What now?

Human experience gets us every time. Take any category of life: define an emotional high; a zenith achievement that warrants group photos that go straight to Instagram; an extraordinary culmination of efforts that resulted in more than anyone could have ever imagined. Once life’s unbelievable! becomes a confirmed memory… how can you top that? What now?

Welcome to après Easter.

The cohort – Jesus called them “apostles,” from their first day together – were now on the field, without a playbook. They had cast Jesus in their plan of history in the role of “political messiah:” the mission – his mission – was to be all about Israel’s renewed independence, in their version of the story. To accomplish that meant some kind of political/military victory over Rome. Let Jesus work out those details: they were ready to support his rise to power… and their part in the aftermath.

The last week had been a rollercoaster of emotions. Exultation at the Eastern Gate, when the crowds got on-board and acclaimed Jesus as the emerging leader – the “King of the Jews” – and the Passover pilgrims were a perfect audience for dramatic events. Things were coming together…

In the span of five days, things went from amazing to agonizing. The King on the donkey became the guilt-free criminal on the cross. “I find no fault…” and “crucify him!” came together at Calvary. The Apostles’ plan for the rest of their lives died with Jesus…

But, the game went into overtime; the story didn’t end at the tomb. Together, in hiding, on Sunday morning… their surprise surpassed yours on the first Easter: no one – no one – was ready for what happened next. He had been telling them for months: “From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” (Matthew 16:21) He was speaking… but no one was listening.

In hiding on Sunday – fearing for their own safety, in the aftermath of the execution – they hear the reports from the women, from the graveyard… and then watch as Jesus walks through a locked door, to declare himself alive, forever more. In the next days, additional appearances expand the experience to over 500 people (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). It’s now, indisputable: Jesus really did rise-from-the-dead… but he’s going to his throne in heaven, not reestablishing the throne in Israel (yet). He’s leaving…

What now? Three years of incredible experience, culminating in the never-again events of Passover Week; how do you go back to “life-as-we-once-knew-it?”

That’s the run-up to John 21. Seven of the remaining 11 (Judas resigned) are back in Galilee, fishing. Not, “Hey, it’s opening day: let’s go fishing!” This isn’t a recreational break; instead, they’re out to jump-start their retired careers. If the messiah mission is over, it’s get-back-to-business time.

In the span of just a few days, their GPS coordinates will be reset for the rest of life. That day – at the Sea of Galilee – it was personal, for Peter: “Do you love me more than these fish? Feed my sheep” (John 21:15-19). Days later – on a hilltop in Galilee, to all 11 of them: “…go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19-20) And, just days later – as he was leaving Earth, for Heaven: “…you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8).

What now? We’ve been living the after-Easter, what-now, for 2000 years. How’s that going? An incredible chance to get an update on the Mission is happening on June 4th, in Costa Mesa, California. The Issachar Summit is a day for people who have seen Jesus alive… and are at-risk of going back-to-work, and missing the personal implications of What now? Click here to learn more.

On June 4th, 2014, 18 “modern-day apostles” (“sent ones”) will be delivering powerful reports on what’s happening on the front lines, where missions leaders, marketplace leaders and funding leaders are joining forces to finish the task. It’s the natural extension of Easter… 1986 years later. What now?

Imagine being invited to the Mount of Olives, for the Ascension… and responding with, “Gee, I wish I could be there… but I’m supposed to be in a meeting about jump-starting a fishing business…”

Bob Shank