It was without question the best of times and the worst of times for the followers of Jesus. For three years they listened as Jesus taught truth and refuted error. They watched as he performed miracles, and they observed his ability to love the discarded people of their culture. They were on top of the world! Although they were warned, they could not imagine what was going to happen in the hours ahead. Jesus would be betrayed by one off his “followers” and arrested and falsely accused by the religious “leaders” of the faith He established. He was then going to be tried, found guilty and put to death by a political system His followers hated. All of this would shatter false hopes, but it also would result in the resurrection of new and true hopes.
JESUS PAVED THE WAY FOR REAL HOPE
Jesus’ disciples didn’t know it at the moment, but what they thought was the worst time in their lives paved the way for the best of times. Because of the events of this day, God provided them a lifetime of continued fellowship and intimacy with Him. He connected them with a people to love and a purpose to fulfill. On top of that, He gave them a hope for living beyond the grave. Out of the hopelessness of these terrible three days, Jesus conquered death and the grave to give us a true and living hope!
HOW HAVE YOUR LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES AFFECTED YOUR HOPE?
We are living in some interesting times. For many of us, the things in which we hope and trust are being threatened. The economy has made our futures uncertain. The political and social climate is confusing, and much of what we believe in is being tested. These circumstances should make us ask the question, “Do the things we believe in offer us a true and living hope?”
DOES THE RESURRECTION REALLY OFFER HOPE?
Easter is God working in the hopelessness of our lives and circumstances to resurrect hope. In Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul reminded the Christians who were suffering for their faith of this certain future when he wrote, “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” If Jesus just died, we have no hope. But if He not only died, but rose again, we can have hope!
IT’S FRIDAY BUT SUNDAY’S COMING
For many, the times in which we are now living seem to be the darkest of our lives. Hang on to hope by remembering that our greatest enemy, death, has been conquered so God can bring hope to our hopeless lives. See you this weekend as we remember Christ’s death on Friday evening and then celebrate His resurrection on Sunday. Remember, “It may be Friday, but Sunday is coming!”
Read more of Jim's blogs at http://www.HeartoftheCanyons.com
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