The Lord is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!! Those are such great words that we proclaim yet today as followers of Jesus. The Lord is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!! Easter is full of so many words, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” Or the single word that the resurrected Jesus spoke that changed Mary’s life. That one word… “Mary.” Or these words that Jesus spoke, “Peace be with you”, words that we still need to hear today. These are all great words that Jesus spoke on that first Easter day.
Words are such an important part of our world. I did a quick Google search asking about how many words the average person speaks a day. The average was 7,000- 10,000. That’s a lot of words. Then I typed in the question, “How many words does the average person hear or read a day?” The most recent article I could find relating to this question was from 2009, and the answer it gave was 100,000. I’m guessing that number is even higher now. Just in what you’ve read of this article up to this point, you have read about 200 words.
Words are so important in our world and in our lives. However, I’m reminded of a saying that I learned as a child, “Actions speak louder than words.” This is in part what the apostle Paul is trying to communicate in his letter to the Jesus followers at Corinth. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul writes to remind the people of the church that saying we love someone is important…but living out that love speaks volumes more than words ever will.
In fact, as wonderful as the words were that Jesus spoke that first Easter morning, his most powerful message that day didn’t involve words at all. Luke and John speak of the moment most clearly. It took place on the evening of that first Easter Sunday. The disciples were together and were basically hiding behind a locked door. They were afraid for their own lives and a bit confused because of some people saying they’d seen Jesus alive. But mostly, they were likely disturbed because Jesus’ body was gone, presumably taken, from the tomb.
Then, without notice, Jesus is standing in their midst. I’m guessing for the first few moments there wasn’t a word spoken. In fact, I have a feeling there was an ear-splitting silence. Then there was an audible gasp from some of the disciples as the unspoken message sunk in…Jesus was alive!!! And because of that moment the world has never quite been the same.
We all recognize how essential words are in our everyday lives. There are very few moments during our waking hours that we aren’t assaulted or surrounded by words. They are everywhere. (You’ve now read 480 words J) In recent years, we’ve especially experienced the destructive power of words, as words have been used to divide, malign, confine, and even cancel people in our culture and world.
As followers of Jesus, I believe a clear message for all of us, especially in our world today, is that of letting our actions speak for us. In numerous stories from Jesus’ life, the message that was most clearly received had little to do with words, it was more about his actions; healing people, who he spent time with, what or who Jesus valued and accepted, etc.
Remember what Jesus said when he gave the disciples the “new” command. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35. Jesus didn’t say, “By telling others you love them.” He said, “if you have love for one another.” That’s about living it, acting it, expressing it in our actions and daily living. I believe we all would agree the world needs more messages of love. Personally, I feel there needs to be fewer words and more living moments expressing it. My friends, may we each go into the world and live Jesus’ new command to love one another. This is a message desperately needed and the great thing is, we don’t have to speak a word. After all, actions truly do speak louder than words.
Serving Together,
Pastor Keith