For those of us who are followers of Jesus, Resurrection Sunday is the day in which it all comes together. The bodily resurrection is foundational to the hope of the gospel.
1 Corinthians 15 (New English Translation)
Now I want to make clear for you brothers and sisters, the gospel that I preached to you, that you received and on which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received—that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
Then he appeared to more than 500 of the brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as though to one born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also...
If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is futile and your faith is empty. Also, we are found to be false witnesses about God, because we have testified against God that he raised Christ from the dead, when in reality he did not raise him, if indeed the dead are not raised…
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is useless; you are still in your sins. Furthermore, those who have fallen asleep in Christ have also perished. For if only in this life we have hope in Christ, we should be pitied more than anyone.
But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also came through a man. For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.
The resurrection changes everything. We are not condemned to remain in our sins; more than that, we are being made alive in Christ. Our history is not our destiny. We followers of Jesus are now “partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world.” (2 Peter 1:4). It was always God’s plan to conform His children to the image of Jesus (Romans 8:29).
Resurrection Sunday reminds us that God has the power to stamp us with the image of Christ-like, cruciform love. We celebrate that on Easter. We post about it. We fly our Jesus flag high, as we should. He is risen!
Then we go home. We return to work.
A month passes.
And I wonder—does the power of Resurrection Sunday linger? Do the claims we make on Easter translate into daily life with family, friends, co-workers? How often does our worship reflect a lifestyle of surrendered devotion, reminding everyone we meet that God is transforming us into the image of Jesus?
There’s a show called Severance in which employees undergo a procedure preventing them from recalling their work outside the office—or their outside lives while at work. They functionally live two separate lives: their Innie (inside work), and their Outie (outside work), with no awareness of connection between them.
If we aren’t careful, we risk living a spiritual life of Severance—walking into church, flipping a switch, saying and doing all the right religious things. Then leaving, flipping another switch, and practically becoming a different person in allegiance, priorities, and conduct. James calls this fresh and salt water flowing from the same spring (James 3:11). Jesus called it hypocrisy when confronting the Pharisees—who tithed very precisely in the temple yet practiced injustice throughout the week.
So I’ve been thinking about integrity—about consistency—about what it looks like when my life reflects the Christ-conforming power of cruciform love every day, not just on Easter Sunday. I invite you to contemplate this with me.
Let’s walk through some Christ-like qualities we celebrate at Easter. These are the things we love about Jesus—the perfect expression of God’s love. Since we’ve seen these attributes reflected in Scripture and history, let’s revisit them this morning. Because the power of Resurrection Sunday is meant for every day, not just one
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In the (day, week, rest of the year) after Easter…..
Will we speak truth with grace? Nathan spoke hard truth to David not just to condemn, but to call him back to life (2 Samuel 12:1–13); Jesus protected the woman caught in adultery, then gently called her to transformation (John 8:1–11). Peter boldly preached at Pentecost, calling out sin but offering salvation (Acts 2:36–41). How will we speak truth to those around us with such grace that it draws them closer to Jesus?
Will we display a love for compassionate justice? The prophets cried out for widows, orphans, and the oppressed (Isaiah 1:17, Micah 6:8); Jesus said God sent him “to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4). How can we advocate for a more just world with the same compassion Jesus showed?
Will we "see" those struggling around us? Hagar called God “the One who sees me” when she was comforted in the wilderness (Genesis 16:13); Jesus saw Zacchaeus in the tree and called him by name (Luke 19:1–10). Peter and John stopped to heal a lame man others ignored (Acts 3:1–10). Who in our life might feel invisible, and how can we show them they are seen and loved by God?
Will we seek reconciliation where there is division? Jacob sought reconciliation with Esau to restore a broken relationship (Genesis 32:22–33:11). Jesus prayed for unity among His followers, asking that they be one as He and the Father are one (John 17:20–23). Where is division in our life or community, and can we appropriately help move ourselves and others toward reconciliation?
Will we look to help "the least of these"? Boaz welcomed an impoverished outsider, Ruth, and made room for her and her widowed mother-in-law (Ruth 2); Jesus welcomed little children, lepers, outcasts, and the poor (Mark 10:13–16, Luke 17:11–19, Luke 4:18–19). Tabitha served the poor and clothed widows (Acts 9:36–43). How can we serve someone society overlooks, treating them as we would Jesus Himself?
Will we call out hypocrisy, deception, and evil? Amos called for justice to roll like a river (Amos 5:24); Jesus wept over Jerusalem’s blindness and called out the Pharisees’ hypocrisy (Matthew 23, Luke 19:41–44). Stephen confronted the Sanhedrin at the cost of his life, and even as they stoned him, he forgave them (Acts 7:51–60). Where do we see hypocrisy or injustice in the world around us, and how can we confront it with courage and love?
Will we offer spiritual and practical hope to the hopeless? Elijah offered bread and a godly presence to the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17); Jesus gave well water and living water to the Samaritan woman at the well. Paul brought hope to a jailer about to take his own life: “Believe in the Lord Jesus” (Acts 16:25–34). Who in our life appears to be hopeless, and how can we offer them both practical help and the hope of Jesus?
Will we offer gospel-centered peace in the midst of strife? Isaiah’s vision of swords beaten into plowshares (Isaiah 2:4) offered a foretaste of the peace Jesus brings; Jesus calmed the storm and the disciples:“Peace, be still” (Mark 4:39). The church faced persecution with prayer and unity, not retaliation (Acts 4:23–31). In a world full of conflict, how can we bring the peace of Christ to those around us?
Will we forgive those who wrong us? Joseph forgave his brothers who sold him into slavery; the father of the prodigal son welcomed his wayward child with open arms (Luke 15:20–24); Jesus on the cross said, “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34). Who has hurt us, and what does it look like to forgive them as Jesus forgave us?
Will we welcome the “other” without fear? Israel was to “love the stranger, for you were once strangers in Egypt” (Deuteronomy 10:19); Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners, and praised a Roman centurion’s faith (Matthew 9:10–13, Matthew 8:5–13). Philip baptized the Ethiopian eunuch on the roadside (Acts 8:26–39). Who feels like an outsider to us, and how can we welcome them into the family of Jesus with the love of Jesus?
Will we listen to those who need to be heard? God heard the cry of His children in Egypt (Exodus 3:7-10); Jesus heard the questions of Nicodemus and the cry of blind Bartimaeus: “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me.” Who around us is longing to be heard, and how can we listen with the heart of Christ?
Will we speak for those who need a voice? Moses spoke for God’s people in slavery in Egypt; Jesus spoke up for the children, for the Samaritans the disciples wanted to firebomb (Luke 9), for the unclean nobody wanted to touch. Who in our orbit needs an advocate, and how can we speak up for them with boldness and love?
Will we mourn with those who are mourning? The psalmists cried and waited in the dark (Psalm 42, Psalm 88); Jesus cried at Lazarus’s tomb, even though He knew resurrection was coming (John 11:35). The church gathered to mourn the loss of Stephen and Tabitha (Acts 8:2; 9:39). Who is grieving near us, and how can we sit with them in their pain, reflecting Jesus’ compassion?
Will we practice generosity without expecting reward? The widow gave her last two coins, trusting God’s provision (Mark 12:41–44). Jesus multiplied loaves and fish to feed thousands, expecting nothing in return (John 6:1–14) and gave his life willingly even for those who would reject him. How can we live generously, trusting God to provide, no matter the response?
Will we practice patience with those still on the journey? God stayed with a rebellious Israel in the wilderness; Jesus kept restoring Peter (John 21:15–19). The apostles worked with new believers, teaching them gently (Acts 15). Who in our life needs our patience, and how can we walk with them as Jesus would?
Will we embody humble service in leadership? Gideon led Israel humbly, trusting God’s strength (Judges 6:11–16). Jesus took on the form of a servant, teaching that true greatness lies in serving others (Mark 10:42–45). How can we lead others by serving humbly, thinking of how to serve rather than be served?
Will we live with gratitude in all circumstances? Paul and Silas sang praises in prison (Acts 16:25). Jesus gave thanks before breaking bread, even on the night He was betrayed (Luke 22:17–19). In what difficult situation could we be choosing to give thanks, trusting God’s goodness even in the midst of difficulty?
Will we work to restore what has been broken? Nehemiah rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls (Nehemiah 2:17); Jesus healed broken bodies and hearts, declaring, “Behold, I am making all things new” (Revelation 21:5). What broken relationship or situation beckons to us to be a part of restoration built on Jesus’ love and grace?
Will we disciple others with patience and humility? Moses guided Israel despite their complaints (Numbers 11:14–17). Jesus walked with His disciples, explaining truth step by step (Luke 24:27). Who needs our patient discipleship, helping them grow closer to Jesus through our faithful presence?
Will we offer generous hospitality? Abraham welcomed strangers and entertained angels (Genesis 18:1–8). Jesus dined with sinners and outcasts, creating space for transformation at the table (Luke 5:29–32). How can we open our home or heart to someone new, showing them Christ’s hospitality?
Will we stand firm when challenged? Daniel refused to bow to Babylon’s idols (Daniel 6:10); Jesus did not waver before Pilate, declaring His kingship (John 18:36). When our faith and trust in God is tested, how can we stand firm while showing Jesus’ love to others?
Will we persevere in prayer for others? Moses interceded for the Israelites; Jesus interceded for His disciples and all believers, even in His final hours (Luke 22:31–32). Who needs our persistent prayers, and how can we commit to lifting them up regularly?
Will we love others well even when they are hard to love? Joseph forgave his betrayers and provided for them in famine (Genesis 50:20–21); Jesus knelt to wash His disciples’ feet—even Judas’ (John 13:1–17). How can we love someone difficult in our life with the selfless love of Jesus?
Will we live with hope? Ezekiel saw dry bones rising again (Ezekiel 37); Jesus, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2). The apostles faced death singing hymns, confident in resurrection hope (Acts 16:25; Acts 20:22–24). In what area of our life should we be clinging to the hope of Jesus, trusting He is making all things new?
Once again, will we live in hope? Not because the world is easy, but because Easter means the worst thing is never the last thing, and because God’s promise is to “make all things new” (Isaiah 65:17, Revelation 21:5). How can we live each day with the hope of Easter, sharing that hope with those around us?
The empty tomb isn’t just a story we tell once a year—it’s the reality that shapes who we are and how we live. Jesus, the risen King, invites us to embody His cruciform love, not just in our words but in our actions, not just on Sunday but every day.
Rather than settling for severed lives, let’s pursue integrated lives inside and outside these doors, a life that looks the same all week and all year long.
May we leave here today committed to being people who make the practical, day to day impact of the resurrection real: through our cruciform love, our service, our forgiveness, our hope.
He is risen, and that changes everything.
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QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER THIS WEEK/MONTH/YEAR
Where might I be living a “severed” life? Are there areas where my Sunday faith feels disconnected from my Monday actions?
Which aspect of Christ-like love feels most challenging right now? Is it forgiving, speaking truth with grace, seeing the struggling? What’s one practical step I can take this week to grow in that area?
Who in my life needs to experience the hope of Easter through me? Is there someone I can listen to, serve, forgive, or pray for in a way that points them to the reality of the risen Jesus?
How can I cultivate resurrection hope daily? What practices—prayer, gratitude, serving others, or something else—can help me stay anchored in the truth that “the worst thing is never the last thing”?