“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.” Ps 118:24
Jesus made it! He made it through the trial in the desert, through Calvary, and now reigns in heaven. We who are human will also make it if we believe and persevere.
Perseverance causes joy for we too walk the Calvary Road with Jesus.
Upon Calvary, Jesus died, but we who persevere in carrying our cross, will die too, only to rise with Him.
Holy week tests our faith! Easily we flee with his disciples and betray Jesus, as did Judas and Peter. During our trials, perseverance flees and we fail. Failure ensnares us in the darkness for we do not follow the Light through darkness.
On the day of despair when our sin crucified our Lord, we are faced with the same questions as the disciples: Can we trust Jesus?
The beautiful truth is that through this struggle and trial, God rises and appears to us! All we need is to have open eyes and hearts to see and trust.
Trust rejoices for we pass through the darkness of death and find life. His life is our life and his resurrection is ours too.
Today we rejoice for we trusted, despite our doubts that the Lord rises from the dead. His resurrection liberates us from sin and allows us to walk in newness of life, for we are a new creation, singing:
“I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.”
God’s visitation surprises us. He always surprises us bringing good out of evil.
The women come to the tomb only to be completely surprised that the stone was rolled away. John and Peter run to the tomb and are surprised that it is empty and the linens are folded. Then the great surprise. Jesus appears showing his wounds and his side, declaring:
“Peace be with You!”
Surprised, we experience the unbelievable. Sin loses its hold as Jesus forgives and breaks the chains that enslave. Death is destroyed because Jesus rises from the dead. Our lives are restored and our trust in Jesus is renewed.
No greater witness exists than when a person fulfills his promises. Jesus promised He would rise from the dead and He did. Jesus promised to send his Holy Spirit giving us courage and confidence and He did. Jesus gives us confidence for his words are true. In his resurrection, our doubt has been destroyed, for Jesus creates hope that despite our sinfulness and fears of death, we too will rise if we persevere.