This Is The Day of the Lord

As a child, I seldom went to church. Many of my friends did, but I almost never did. For me, Sunday morning was a day to sleep in and be lazy. Today, most Americans seem to be of the same opinion. For too many, rest and relaxation have replaced worship and praise. Do you think that there is a connection between our increasing problems as a nation and our decreasing church attendance?

Pop culture is highly influential in our society and it places little value on giving God worship or praise. Instead, pop culture emphasizes self. The Bangles had a line in their song Manic Monday:

I wish it was Sunday
‘Cause that’s my funday
My I don’t have to runday

Far too many of us have taken this philosophy and made it our own.

Because it is the Lord’s day, Sunday should be the most important day of our week.  Sunday is a very important day for Christian’s.  Sunday is the day Jesus rose from the dead.

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Matthew 28:1-9 (NIV)

Jesus’ first appearance to His disciples following His resurrection was also on a Sunday.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” John 20:19 (NIV)

Jesus’ second appearance to His disciples following His resurrection was also on a Sunday.

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:26 (NIV)

I hope everyone who reads this devotion is one who has been blessed because, although you have not seen Jesus, you have believed in Him nonetheless.

The Holy Spirit descended upon the Church on, you guessed it, a Sunday.

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 1:4 (NIV)

Christians have much to celebrate on Sunday. Is Sunday your fun day, your not have to run day or do you spend it in Church praising the Father and waiting for Jesus to bless you once more, perhaps with the fresh wind of His Spirit?  It is true that you do not have to be in church to meet Christ, but it is also true that if you want to see someone whom you have had trouble finding for sometime, a good place to start is at their house.