“I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”
John 11:24-25
Easter hope. Right now, people across the US, and all around the world, are in search of hope in the face of this pandemic. For some, hope is in the distant future as we endure great challenges in the face of the corona-virus. Hope takes many forms, as we hold onto the hope that we can soon resume life as we know it, without isolation. Hope that we and our loved ones won’t get Covid-19. Hope that if we do get it, will be a mild case that resolves quickly, without hospitalization or complications. Hope that we are able to emerge from this plague and that our finances and the economy will return to their previous pre-pandemic status. Hope we have everything we need to get through this most difficult time.
Yet, there is another source and kind of hope that people all around the world are able to seek and find this Easter—especially Christian believers. That is the greatest hope possible in this life: Easter hope!
So what is Easter hope? Well, it is the very definition of Jesus Christ: The Greatest Hope the World Has Ever Known. So how is it possible that our hope today can hinge on just one man who lived some 2000 years ago? Irrelevant? Definitely not! Sadly, for some, especially agnostics and atheists, Jesus, Savior of the world, may seem irrelevant at a time like this. Yet, the answer is found on Easter Sunday, a day celebrated by Christians everywhere around the globe.
For though it may be beyond our understanding, Jesus died on the cross, through crucifixion, for our sins—mine and yours. That is, He willingly died in expiation for our sins, to set us free and lead us to eternal life. But the story doesn’t stop there. After He was unduly crucified on what we commemorate as Good Friday, 3 days later He rose from the dead to sit at the right hand of God himself becoming Heaven’s Gatekeeper.
When you accept Jesus Christ into your heart as your Lord and Savior, salvation is yours--forever. But it is a decision we all have to make on our own. No one else can do that for you. You cannot depend on a praying mother or friend to ‘get you in’ to Heaven. It is, actually, a matter of using your God-given free will to personally choose to believe and follow Him. Yes, we all sin. But if we choose to turn to Jesus and bring our shortcomings to Him, we are promised forgiveness. Clean slate. And when you decide to follow Him, you become a changed man or woman, willingly, avoiding the near occasion of sin because you want to.
Being a believing Christian is not a matter of having to give up all the pleasures of this life. Rather, it is an opportunity to clean up your life, grow into becoming a better person and serve others, rather than yourself, for the love of God. When you make that decision, Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to help you, and advocate for you, enabling you to live a better life, sometimes even surprising yourself! That’s what Easter is all about.
9 “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Luke 11:8-10
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Dear Father God,
I believe that Jesus Christ, Your Only Son, died for my sins and rose on the third day. I am sorry for my sins. Thank you for Your forgiveness, mercy, and grace upon my life. Please heal my unbelief in You, Dear Lord, and lead me to Jesus. Help me to embrace my new life in You.
For I believe that Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory. Now and forever.
Amen!
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© Copyright 2020 | Adele M. Gill
UPDATE:
My new book, ‘How to Go from Broken to Blest,’ is due for publication on May 5th. It is written for anyone who is struggling in any way. And who isn’t these days? It will be available on Amazon in Kindle and print, and at Barnes & Noble. Will keep you posted.
