Today’s devotion is based on the Easter Message: Hope Revealed (Watch Here)
Death is hard. Hope is real.
Wednesday I went to see a gentleman who attended with his wife as they were able for the last years. Recently God called his wife home to heaven. As with any funeral, the business of the arrangements, family coming into town and decisions of next steps happen quickly and a bit overwhelmingly. In addition to the change of losing his wife, his family decided due to his memory and the assistance he needs to move him to a care facility near one of his daughters. When I found him in his new residence, he was listening to a talk on Big Bend National Park here in Texas. While I had to interrupt him due to another appointment, we had a few minutes to sit on one of the patios and talk. Two times, large tears came to his eyes. First as he shared how much he misses his wife and second when we discussed the beauty of heaven and the joy of being able to experience the presence of Jesus and the reunion with the ones we love.
Death is hard. Hope is real.
The ladies that made their way to the tomb that first Easter morning were heavy with sadness over the death of Jesus. The least they could do was to follow up his burial with a proper applications of spices to anoint the body.
I would guess that if you encountered them on the road and asked where they were headed, a few tears would have made their way down their cheeks.
Death is hard.
For those of you who have experienced the death of someone close to you, you know the hole they leave in your heart and your life.
Death is hard.
Yet the reality of Easter morning is not simply affirmation that death is hard.
The angels had a message to share: “He is not here! He has risen!”
Jesus himself as he stepped in front of Mary simply said her name, “Mary.”
Jesus walking with the Emmaus disciples took time to explain from the Scripture all that was prophesied about him and finally revealed himself to them in the breaking of bread.
Hope is real!
The women who saw and heard the angels ran back to tell the disciples.
Mary who saw Jesus alive herself ran to tell Jesus’ followers.
The Emmaus disciples ran the miles back to Jerusalem to the followers of Jesus.
All to relate one message:
Jesus is alive!
Hope is real.
The fact that Jesus was alive confirmed he really was the the Son of God.
The fact that Jesus was alive confirmed that the payment for sin was accepted.
The fact that Jesus was alive confirmed all the Word of God is true.
The fact that Jesus was alive confirmed death would not have the final say.
The fact that Jesus was alive confirms that we too will live.
The fact that Jesus is alive confirms that we will live with him forever.
And all this gives us hope…real hope!
Death is hard.
Jesus lives.
Hope is real!
Apply: What truth of the resurrection gives your heart the most hope?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your amazing resurrection that solidifies death is defeated and life is ours by your grace. Lead us to live each day in the promise and hope of the resurrection. Because you live…we too will live! AMEN.