I Put My Hope in Jesus

Today is a dark and rainy day where I live. At Church, many are preparing for our annual community egg-hunt and breakfast (we get to present the Gospel to many folks who are unchurched EVERY YEAR, how good is God?), and we are anticipating our Sonrise and Resurrection Sunday Services tomorrow. Yet, millennia ago on a similar Saturday morning, Jesus’ body rested in the ground from His great Labor: to atone for the sins of the world. His disciples were in hiding, and hope, so they thought, was lost. And yet, Jesus Christ wasn’t idle! From the Cross, He told the rebel next to Him “Today you will be with me in Paradise,” and, though it is a mystery I do not understand, the word tells us He also “preached to the prisoners” beneath the earth. Yes, Jesus’ body rested, but His salvation was already at work.

So, even on a gloomy Sunday such as this, I will not be sad, or weary. My hope, Jesus Christ IS alive! He is risen from the dead, victorious over sin and death. I have a hope and a future. I will not fear! Though my body may wear out, if the Lord tarries, I will be with Him in eternity! Because of that cross and empty tomb, I have full and abundant life, with the promise of eternity with Jesus when this is over!

Matthew 28:1-

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”