Relentless Pursuit

hope

Today is the day that changed all of history for humanity in one instant. Jesus, the son of Nazareth was brutally and sacrificially nailed to the cross to atone for the sins of every human that would have ever and would ever live. On this day, on the hill of Golgotha, Jesus, a righteous, holy, and sinless man was crucified for living a perfect life in place of us, as sinners to do what we could not do ourselves. As wretched, grieving and sorrowful that the crucifixion was on Good Friday, Jesus would rise from the tomb three days later to bring hope, restoration, and joy. 

This is what we must triumph in as Jesus was raised from the dead: the hope that he brings. Everyone who knew and believed in Christ, were devastated that their King had been murdered through the most painful death one could bear. Questioning their faith, unsure of what the future held, wondering if they had followed a false prophet were all questions that the disciples carried with them through the three days as they continued to believe that Jesus had died, and would never return void. Yet, on Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead in heavenly awe from the tomb in which he was buried to fulfill the promise that was announced stretching all the way from Genesis to Revelation.. And that is that God’s ultimate plan will be fulfilled despite the pain and suffering that has been endured. The Lord is faithful to keep his promises and will never leave or forsake us. 

The dreadful and deep hurt that Jesus and many others endured leading up to his crucifixion, through the rising up of his body in ascension into heaven leaves us with… hope. Hope in that Jesus is the King and is fulfilling the covenant made in the Old Testament. Hope that Jesus will come back to restore his creation back to the garden of Eden. Hope that he is faithful to keep his promises despite the suffering that may be endured. Hope that regardless of what will be faced in the future, that he will not leave or forsake us. Hope that Jesus is more alive, radiant, and at work behind the scenes in every detail of our lives. And, lastly, hope in the fact that we are saved and will spend eternity with the one true King as children of God. 

When it feels like all hope is lost, gone, or dissipated we must look to the one who has given us ultimate hope. Even when we don’t see the fulfillment of the brokenness of this world healed on this side of eternity, we have hope that Jesus will return and restore our bodies, minds, souls as well as those that we love. Today is the day that changed all of history for humanity because of the resurrection of Christ and the hope that it has instilled in us for the future of his kingdom and the restoration of Eden.