Hope During Easter

Have you ever felt like things in life couldn't get any worse?

The disciples must've felt that way the day Jesus was crucified. Earlier that week they had walked into Jerusalem in a triumphal entry. They were probably expecting Him to be crowned king and start defeating their enemy, the Romans. Now the only crown He wore was made of thorns and the Romans, instead of being defeated, seemed to overcome Him.

At times it seems like the circumstances in life are out of control. A couple weeks ago we looked at how God is a refuge in times of trial. But as we take shelter in God, we may start to wonder, “When will the storm end? Will it go on forever?”

Even though Jesus told the disciples He would rise from the dead on the third day, they forgot in the midst of their grief. So when the women went to anoint Jesus' body, they were in for quite a shock. Jesus wasn't there. He was alive! Not only did He pay our sin debt, He defeated death, dealing the devil two crushing blows. That day, the first Easter, He proved He could overcome our worst enemies.

Easter is when we celebrate that Jesus can defeat our circumstances and/or their effects on us. Notice I said and/or. Sometimes God chooses not to remove our tough situation until a long time has passed. But the depression, insecurity, and any other negative emotions don't have to stay with us. He will take that away if we ask Him to and if we're willing to let go of them.

But many times He removes our circumstances and then we're given the opportunity to show others what God has done for us. The Easter story starts with darkness and hopelessness and ends with joy and hope. Often our life is like that. Only Jesus has the power to change what was evil into something good, both in our life and in the days we would later celebrate as Good Friday and Easter.