Dr. Behle hates Easter Sunday

It's true.  Dr. Behle, one of the Bible professors at TMC, one of my bosses for two years as IBEX Secretary, and one of my favorite professors ever, hates Easter Sunday.

Now, before you are horrified, he had a valid reason.

Dr. Behle in 2007 at Qumran, Israel, where they discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls

Dr. Behle doesn't like Easter Sunday because of all the extra show that is put on for visitors.  He also believes that the Resurrection should be celebrated every Sunday, not just on Easter.  Good point, Dr. Behle!

Dr. Behle then went on to explain that so often the story ends with the Resurrection.  But what about the Ascension?

Jesus rose from the dead, stayed on earth for 4o days giving many convincing proofs, and then ascended to Heaven.  He is sitting there at the right hand of the Father at this exact point in time, interceding for us.  How should our lives be different because of that fact?

After Jesus ascended from Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, two angels appeared beside the apostles.  Basically they said, "Whatcha all lookin' at?  Don't ya'all know that Jesus is coming back some day?"  It was time for the disciples to take what they had learned, to wait (haha) in Jerusalem for God's power, and to tell the world of what Jesus had done for them.

Remember that these men were men.  There were fishermen, a tax collector, a political revolutionary, and a lot of other ordinary things.  The disciples weren't high and mighty, highly educated, super-prepared men.

Rocks on a tomb on the Mount of Olives with Jerusalem in the background

So again, if Jesus is in fact at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us, preparing a place for us, waiting for His time to return, how should that impact our lives today?

Pair these thoughts with the thoughts of this guy, and what excuse do you and I have to live our own lives, to complain, to worry, to get angry, to forget?

None.  We have none.

But so often I do.
Thanks Dr. Behle.  I'm glad they let you preach at church again. ;)