Our Living Hope
When I first found out that I was writing the blog for Easter, I think my heart physically stopped for a second. It seemed like such a huge task for someone who has never written a publication like this before. I almost felt undeserving to write about such an important part of history. When I think of Easter, I think of it being one of the most celebrated holidays within Christianity. It’s one of those “must attend” holidays when you wear your best outfits, cook the best feasts, and put on your best “I Love Jesus” smiles. There’s just something else about Easter, though, that makes my heart more overjoyed. Aside from the beautiful pastel colors, all the little children running around doing Easter egg hunts, and dipping hard boiled eggs in food coloring, it’s the fact that there really is a joyous reason for celebration! For any Christian who goes to church faithfully every week, why should Easter Sunday be celebrated any differently than other Sundays? Doesn’t it feel like a celebration every week when we praise and worship our Lord? So then what makes Easter Sunday so different? It’s something I’ve never asked myself until now, and I hope to give some insight into this thought.
Take This Cup
The story of Jesus’ crucifixion is known to many. We know the horrible torture he endured, but even before that public humiliation, when I think of his suffering, I refer back to his suffering that happened in private in the Garden of Gethsemane. There on his knees, Jesus, the human form of God himself, experienced true isolation and remoteness. In that moment, Jesus was crying out in anguish. In Matthew 26:38 (NIV), Jesus says, “my soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” Can you imagine being so overwhelmed with sorrow and agony to the point where you’d much rather die? But there’s something to be found in the very next verse; in Matthew 26:39 (NIV) Jesus then says, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” He knew that the fulfillment of his purpose was near, but he knew that this was God’s will. Jesus remained faithful and obedient to his Father, even though he knew it meant that his life was to be sacrificed. He was willing to endure the Father’s wrath for us so that we in turn would realize that we would never have to be alone. Though he sought God in this moment, God didn’t respond. It was almost as if God wanted Jesus to experience just a glimpse of what was to come. Jesus was begging for relief, for some sort of solace in this moment of agony and despair. In Luke 22:44 (NIV), it states that in this moment “being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” I can’t imagine the torment Jesus was going through, to the point that he was literally pouring out blood, sweat, and tears crying for his Father. There is a segment from the RightNow Media series “Easter” by J.D. Greear, where he tells a story of a little boy who was also crying out for his father in a traumatic moment. This boy drowned in a swimming pool, and during the autopsy, the coroner said that the boy had purple blotches all over his face. The coroner believes that the boy was in such a frightened state of panic and fear which caused the blood capillaries in his face to burst. To imagine the type of pain that one can endure out of fear and isolation is heart wrenching. But yet here Jesus was, lamenting out to the Father. He chose to willingly go through his own separation from God out of pure mercy so that we would know that he would never forsake us. His love for us surpassed any type of torment and pain that we could ever imagine.
Pour This Cup
Jesus found himself separated from the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane, just as we find ourselves separated from our Father in moments of our lives. If there are times when we are crying out, questioning God, questioning our suffering, or questioning our faith, we must remember that there is faith in the Almighty Deliverer. I once heard someone say that faith is when the unexplainable meets the undeniable. We may not be able to explain our faith or our relationship with God, but we know that it is everlasting. We choose to believe in the ultimate sacrifice, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Jesus remained steadfast and trusted in the Father’s will despite knowing he would suffer death a thousand times more painful to deliver the world from our sins. During his time on the cross, Jesus cried out to God again, seeking reassurance. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34). After being tortured, whipped, mocked, spit on, and tested beyond all physical measures, he sought comfort from God in his final moments of desperation. Though it may seem easy to give up on God in a moment like this, through all his abandonment and suffering, Jesus remained devoted to the promise. His body withering away, his spirit crushed, and yet, there he was still seeking the Lord. Luke 23:46 (ESV) says, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit,” and with his last breath, his soul left this earth. Jesus’ disciples looked on helplessly, their hearts were full of sorrow watching their Messiah, beaten and broken. Seeing him on the cross must have caused them to be fearful and have their doubts, questioning why this is happening. This same feeling of hopelessness that the believers felt back then can ring true for so many believers now. In the midst of trauma, grieving, and uncertainty, we can feel like there is no escape. We can feel as if dark skies are looming over us with such intensity and that the pits are swallowing us. But the Lord knows that in these moments of pain and misery, restoration can be found. Living water can be poured from Jesus’ cup and turned into hope!
Fill This Cup
I truly believe that Jesus’ resurrection is the key to Christian faith. “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen!” Matthew 28:5 (ESV). The resurrection proves that Jesus fulfilled his word, just as he promised. He accomplished what he set out to do; to deliver the good news and prove that he is indeed the Son of God. We should be using the resurrection to question any of our own doubts. In the moments that we feel like giving up, we remember the resurrection as proof that death is not the end and there is eternal life found in Christ. Jesus didn’t die for us; he died instead of us. There are brighter days coming! There is light at the end of the tunnel! The power that brought Jesus back to life is the same power that can bring our spiritually dead selves back to life, and it is because of this exact reason that we, as believers, should be celebrating this every day! Believing in the resurrection allows us to live boldly in the truth and speak fearlessly of the ultimate sacrifice that he paid for our sins; past, present, and future. John 14:6 (NIV) says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” We were meant to be connected to our Father in Heaven, and the only way that was possible was through the blood of Jesus. In 1 Corinthians 15:13 (ESV), it says “But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.” When it comes to the story of Jesus’ resurrection, we can choose to believe in it or we can choose to ignore it. If this story ended with Jesus dying and staying in the grave, then this becomes just another story about some martyr who claimed to be The One. But this isn’t! Jesus defeated the grave and that’s what makes this worth celebrating every single day!
Though we should celebrate Jesus being alive every day, I truly feel like Resurrection Sunday isn’t just like any other Sunday. There’s something more solemn and reassuring on Easter Sunday. It’s on this day that we can reflect on the horrendous acts that happened to Jesus and appreciate His love for us. There is celebration to be had of a promise fulfilled through his blood and body. Easter is a time to walk through Jesus’ pain, betrayal, beatings, trial, and ultimate sacrifice for us on that cross. No matter where we are in our spiritual journey, we believe in the miracle of Jesus conquering death and one day returning back to his people. Through this ultimate act of love, Jesus reopened the way to God, a reminder that God can change anyone’s heart. Once you put your faith in God, you are making the bold statement that you believe that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead dwells inside of you! You are a reflection of Jesus’ grace and loyalty! You are a living demonstration that with resurrection power, you can make the impossible possible! Christ now lives in you and is with you for the rest of your days. “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). He assures you that you can get back up when you’ve fallen, you are forgiven when you’ve sinned, you have a defender when you’ve been attacked, you are not lost, and you are not alone. Let us go into this Easter remembering that if we were worth the price of dying for, then Jesus is worth the price of living for!
Sources:
Right Now Media- “Easter” Series by J.D Greear
Right Now Media- “Easter” Series by Francis Chan
The Life Application Study Bible (NIV)
You Version Bible App- Bible Recap Podcast Day #318- Matthew 28, Mark 16 (Year 4)
“It Is Finished” You Version 7 Day Bible Plan