The Hope of Easter
This post was originally posted on Good Friday in 2015. Every year, instead of writing new words, I’m constantly coming back to this post.
Instead of trying to come up with a different way to recognize the significance of what today represents leading up the joyous celebration of Resurrection Sunday, I thought it would be best to re-post from the archives, The Hope of Easter.
I hope this blesses you this year, as it did me writing and re-reading it.
Today is Good Friday, a day for Christians that marks reflection and mourning but most of all hope.
We know today marks an unbearable day for those who love Jesus, for those who went before us to spread the good news, and for those who had to watch their son, friend, and teacher be nailed to the cross.
It was all those many years ago when Jesus breathed his last breath and uttered the words, “It is finished.”
Yet we have hope because we know that on Sunday we celebrate Easter, Resurrection Day, a day where our King conquered death.
We have the hope of Easter.
Through the Scriptures and the faithful promises of God, we hold to the knowledge that…
We know what Jesus went through for us.
We know just how much He loved us because He died on the cross.
We know that on the third day He rose again.
We know… but most of all we believe.
We believe that Jesus was crucified, died and was buried.
We believe that He rose on the third day and is now in Heaven.
We believe that He died for our sins because He loves us.
We believe that Easter is about celebrating the hope and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
I firmly believe that Easter is the single most important holiday and celebration in our Christian faith. It is the day that marks our hope and faith in new life.
It is the day where all of God’s promises throughout history have come true. It is the day we can shout…
Hosanna! Hosanna! He has risen!
Who has believed what they heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
For He grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; He had no form or majesty that we should look at Him, and no beauty that we should desire Him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
Be we was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. ~Isaiah 53:1-6
Let us all spend the next few days preparing our hearts for the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Love this Good Friday post. I think you do a great job of capturing what we should reflect on day of. Thanks for sharing!