The Father is searching for those who worship him in Spirit and Truth. John 4:23

The Father is searching for those who worship him in Spirit and Truth. John 4:23

Day 35  The Seven Sundays of Easter

“The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one”  John 17: 22

Today is Sunday May 5th, the 6th Sunday of the Easter season.

In his book  Ancient-Future Time Robert Webber states the “ essential theme of Easter cannot be communicated in a day. It takes a season.” In his chapter on Easter, he describes the practices of the ancient church to commemorate the season with the following emphasis.

  1. Easter Sunday – (March 31) Theme: Resurrection Sunday confirms the mission of God to restore all creation all been accomplished. Jesus is Christus Victor, “the one who destroys death and triumphed over the enemy and trampled Hades underfoot and bound the strong one, and carried off man to the heights of heaven.” (Merlito of Sardid AD195)
  2. Second Sunday of Easter (April 7) – Theme: The Church understood as a community of people defined by resurrection spirituality.
  3. Third Sunday of Easter (April 14) – Theme: Worship: In worship resurrection spirituality is learned and experienced. “Do this is in remembrance of me … “
  4. Fourth Sunday of Easter (April 21) – Theme: The Good Shepherd: We remember we follow the ultimate servant-leader, we listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd and follow his life.
  5. Fifth Sunday of Easter (April 28) – Theme: Ministry in the Church. The teaching emphasis shifts from explanantion of the meaning of Christ life, death and resurrection to preparation for Jesus disciples to be the church, his body, as the continued presence of Jesus in the world. The church itself s a sign of Jesus resurrection.
  6. Sixth Sunday of Easter (May 5) – Theme: The Spirit. Ascension Day will happen on the following Thursday (May 9). According to Webber, baptism and the Eucharist are seen as signs of our union with God.
  7. Seventh Sunday of Easter (May 12) Theme: The Prayer of Jesus (John 17) “The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one” v 22. The church i diverse but held together by the central fact that Jesus is the Son of God, rose from the dead and is Lord of all.
  8. Pentecost Sunday. (May 19) Theme: The Holy Spirit coming with power and birthing the church.

God is into calendar.

If we bring a fresh heart to it, I believe seeking God in a focused way, aligned with the patterns of some Christian calendar can be a beneficial practice of worship.Why be random about it?

You decide.

Let’s Pray:

I invite you to pray with me. The Lord’s Prayer:

Our Father who lives in heaven, Holy is your name. Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the Kingdom, and the power and the glory. Forever. Amen. 

About This Devotional Series

According to the historical church calendar, the Easter season is the 50 day period from Resurrection Sunday to Pentecost Sunday.  I’ll post a fresh devotional thought with my sunrise photo of that morning, everyday through Pentecost, commenting as the Spirit inspires. Check out the rest of the series here.

Invite your friends.

If this series is helpful to you,  please forward and share with your friends through e-mail, Twitter, Facebook – whatever, just click the share buttons on this page.  Join us on the journey from Easter to Pentecost! 

Would you like more devotionals like this? 

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