I’ve heard it over and over from pastors, working moms, big brothers, and volunteers. Easter is like the Superbowl for anyone who works in a church. All the work we do, the meetings we have, the lives we try to reach, are all because of the events that we remember on Good Friday and Easter. Jesus Christ took our sins to the cross and paid the ransom for our lives. Three days later, He rose from the grave and He lives as our Savior.
While it can be exciting to look at Easter in that way, I feel it lacks something. When you look at the game of football, you see that it starts with preseason drills and games that don’t matter in regards to standings. The season starts and every team works to win as much as possible in order to make it to the playoffs. The Pro Bowl happens and the all-stars get to show off a week before the big event. After at least 60 minutes of kicking, running, passing and tackling, a champion is decided and a city celebrates. Then comes the off-season.
As Christians, we have a preseason where we learn the basics of our faith. Sometimes this happens before we profess our faith in Jesus Christ, and sometimes it is a process of learning after we commit to Him. Once we have committed our lives to Christ, the season starts. We evangelize, invite friends, neighbors and coworkers to church, mentor students, disciple new believers and help people in need. We gear up for the playoffs around Christmastime, putting on concerts and pageants. We buy gifts for our families and take coats and toys to people less fortunate than ourselves.
Then comes a little break before Easter. This is kind of like the Pro Bowl. All the all-stars keep playing the game. Pastors preach hard and church staffs look towards Easter as the next big event for The Church. The Superbowl is coming.
After Easter weekend, many church attenders go into the off-season. Those “Chreaster” Christians who only go to church on Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday.The problem is, there is no off-season in Christianity. After Easter, it’s okay to rest and regain your composure, but you are not done yet. It’s time to get back up and do it again.
Decisions to follow Jesus were made around the world on Easter weekend. Those people need to be discipled so that they can carry on the mission of The Church. Jesus calls all Christians to go and make disciples.
If you call yourself a Christian, this is not the of-season for you. Go and make disciples. Go and make disciple-makers.
