Living Hope

Luke 24:1-9

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went up to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, and when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.

How can you share the living hope of Jesus with others?

When the women approached the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus, they discovered that the stone was rolled away and Jesus’ body was not there. Before he was crucified, Jesus told his disciples that he would leave Earth and go to prepare a place for them. Did his disciples believe him? Or was it perhaps that their minds could not comprehend how this would occur? After Jesus was crucified, they grieved that he was no longer physically with them. However, the disciples didn’t understand that Jesus’ departure was for their benefit. Jesus died in our place so that we could spend eternity with him.

The resurrection is the center of the gospel message and is a testament to God's immense power and sovereignty. God is the only one who can create life and resurrect it. It validates the claims of who he is, the Messiah, the world's Savior. It demonstrated his sinless character and divine nature and fulfilled all the prophecies of the Old Testament.  

Death had no power over him, and we will one day share the victory of death through him. When Jesus left the Earth, he didn’t abandon us; he left us with the Holy Spirit, who gives the believers spiritual power. Jesus is in heaven and sits at the Father's right hand. He left to prepare a place for us, and one day he will return to claim his bride, the church.

Jesus is our living hope. If you’ve repented from your sins and proclaimed Jesus as Lord and Savior, your eternal resting place in heaven is secure. Our eternal destination is grounded in the finished work of the Cross. It guarantees that those who believe in Christ will not remain dead but be alive with Jesus in eternity.

Here is a definite fact: One day, Christ will return; are you ready?

What changes do you need to make as you await your eternal destiny? What if it happened today?

Father God, thank you for the sacrificial love of Jesus and our redemption through his resurrection.  I am so grateful for the gift of salvation and the promise of eternal life. I pray for those who don't have assurance in their eternal destination that their eyes will be opened and they will turn to the only living hope there is, Jesus. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen

Scripture References: Isaiah 53:5-12; Matthew 28:1-10; John 11:25-26; 14:1-3,  20:1-2; 1 Peter 1-3