EASTER HOPE!
Hi Everyone! Despite all of the gloom around us, this is a beautiful, bright and hopeful time of year! Though we have lived through two years of constantly being told how many people have died from covid19, attacks and violent protests, senseless murders on our streets, border issues, drug and human trafficking at the border, people dying and being left behind in Afghanistan and now daily visions of war in Ukraine, there is the hope of Easter.
If you live in a part of the world like I do, where winter is cold, snowy and everything looks dead, spring is a magnificent reminder of what was once old and dead, is now new with life again. It is so great to see the grass beginning to turn green, the trees starting to gain leaves, and the flowers beginning to come up again. Few things are more fun than getting the yard ready for summer and thinking about what plants and flowers to put in for the new spring and summer seasons. It’s also awesome to see the sun more and longer days after the short and dreary days of winter.
Both the seasons and the news remind us of winter, death and the hope of change. While winter is turning into spring, the depression and despair that many of us are feeling from all of the turmoil, war and death around us can also turn hopeful as we think of Easter.
The first disciples of Jesus were also experiencing despair and hopelessness after Jesus had been crucified. The One they thought was their Savior was dead. They had to be wondering what was going to happen to them and regretting wasting three years of their lives following Him. But then Easter came!
Two women were going to the tomb on that first Easter morning and they heard these words:
“Jesus is not here, He has risen, just as He said.” It goes onto say, “the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.”
Can you imagine their response to this news? They must have had very mixed emotions – ones of disbelief and ones of great hope all at the same time. But let’s keep in mind, that first Easter wasn’t only for the disciples back then, but for us today as well.
We may be overwhelmed by the daily news. We may have grown impatient with people around us. We may be more edgy and irritable than ever (studies are showing this over the past two years). Many people are losing trust in our government, institutions, churches and other people. Many people feel hurt and are tired of trying to helping others. Some are even considering suicide as the way out. Others are just plain exhausted.
Many people today feel let down by others. Have you been let down? Have others hurt or offended you? Are you even struggling to believe in or trust God like you once did? Has discontentment and cynicism crept into your life. Do you feel the life inside of you being sucked out a little each day? Many people are dying a slow death in these days because we are living in such transient and uncertain times because they have lost hope.
Easter is a reminder, much like spring, that there are better days ahead. Hope is still out there! The Gospel – the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection – is a story that despite how bleak things look now, the future can be good. For those who have lost hope, it is a reminder that next time can be different. It is the hope that things can change! That you can change! That others can change!
Easter is the hope that our brokenness isn’t what will define us. It is a reminder that love will win over hate, that good will conquer evil, that justice will prevail over abuse, that forgiveness will overcome sin, that acceptance will replace rejection, and that ultimately life will overtake death. Jesus shows us by His life that death did not win. Easter reminds all us that life and love will have the last word, not death and hate.
Jesus said, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.” The real message of Easter is that while it is not possible for us to fix our world or even ourselves, God is! God is the one who brings life and love to us and empowers us to endure and find strength to get through these tough days.
Easter is the hope that things will one day be different, that love will prevail and that life, not death, will have the last word. As Easter is upon us, I sure hope you will grasp tightly to Easter hope!
Have a blessed Easter and see you next month,
Jack
