That's all that mattered. He is RISEN and He is LORD! These were the words his followers shouted everywhere they went. Today, 2,000+ years later, we follow him and some, even to this day, lay down their lives in martyrdom rather than deny this sacred truth. He is RISEN. He is LORD. He is WITH us. What else really matters in our lives?
A lot matters in my life, but when I sit myself down to pray it through, I know that all that matters to me is grounded upon my foundation of faith and my belief that He is WITH me every step of the way. I don't always realize this and I don't always want to realize this. I fool myself into thinking that I am better off taking care of myself. After all, sometimes He asks much of me. Who wants that?!
I think his followers felt like that from time to time. When they once thought that he was asking too much of them, he answered that with God "all things are possible." He didn't say, "With God, all things are easy." Sometimes I like easy. What about you?
You and I wouldn't be disciples today if the Early Church looked for the easy way out. Just read some of the Acts of the Apostles or watch the movie Risen to see how courageous and convinced they had to be that HE IS LORD and HE IS RISEN!
Lord Jesus, my RISEN LORD, help me to renew my courage and confidence in your presence in my life. Keep me faithful to your teaching, and never let me be parted from you. Amen.