Christ’s Resurrection Gives Us A Living Hope

  

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. 1 Peter 1:3-4

 

Birth and Death, the Beginning and the End -- Or is it?

The day I gave birth to my first son was exciting for my husband, myself, and our four daughters. When he was ten years old, he was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. Years passed, and he did well for a while. Later, he developed congestive heart failure. Then, just five days after his 29th birthday, he died. We were blessed with his life, which was a gift to us for those years. As I think about it, he was only four years younger than Jesus when he died.

Jesus was born in Bethlehem many years ago to a virgin named Mary. Joseph, a poor carpenter, was his adoptive father. His birth was a miracle and a big step down for Him. Our Creator left all the glory of heaven to come to earth and be born as a human baby. Yet Jesus was still fully God and fully man. He, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, was present at creation as the second person of our triune God.

At the age of 33, Jesus was cruelly mocked, beaten, and nailed to a cross. This was no surprise to Him. He knew that the only way to atone for the sin of mankind was for Him to die. He willingly gave His life, but that was not the end. He rose gloriously on the third day, making salvation possible. So even though death was cruel and seemed like the end, it was a new beginning, a birth of sorts.

Loving Lamb of God 

  

Jesus, Lamb of God
Leaving heaven’s splendor was
Born in poverty

Lived a sinless life
Sacrificed and gave Himself
So we could be free

Bursting from the grave
Victorious over death
Offering new life

Loving Lamb of God
Lord of Lords and King of Kings
For eternity

When we lost our son, he took a part of our hearts with him, and we experienced grief in a way we never had before. We feel this loss profoundly but rejoice that he is with his Savior, whom he loved. He is free of his broken body with all its problems and is filled with joy and delight. 

My son’s death is a kind of birth, too, because, with his new body, he will be able to do what he couldn’t do in this life – all made possible by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Hope does not bring my son back, but it does bring comfort. Instead of despair, we live with the sure hope that we will see him again.

Before the beginning of time, this hope was part of God’s plan, and nothing can ever thwart His purposes. It is a promise secured by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and guaranteed by the Holy Spirit. The future of all who trust in Christ is settled.

Our hope is a looking forward to what God has promised.

In him we have also received an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory.  In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. Ephesians 1:11-13

The resurrection of Jesus is one of, if not THE most significant historical event. Yet, the few days between His death and resurrection were filled with sorrow and grief. Think of the emptiness the disciples must have felt when Jesus died. His mother would have been crushed as she saw him hanging there.

Darkness was all around. People began to lose hope because they thought Jesus would come with power to overthrow their oppressors. Instead, His power was in His willingness to die in our place to break sin’s hold upon us. By His power, Jesus conquered death as He rose from the grave. Can you imagine the joy His mother and the disciples must have felt? Their grief was turned to joy.

The resurrection of Jesus is the reason we have hope!

Dear God, thank You for Your great love and mercy. You give me hope for now and eternity. When I put my faith and trust in Jesus, I am forgiven for all my sins. His resurrection makes a hope-filled life possible. I praise and thank You for this great gift of eternal life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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