Hope is alive!

In the book of First Corinthians chapter 1 verse 18 Paul writes “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” Easter is here! We celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For many this celebration started the previous Sunday with Palm Sunday celebrating the kingship of Jesus Christ. We follow the progression throughout the week that leads to His crucifixion and ultimately His resurrection. Many in the world view this as foolishness just as Paul says in Corinthians, but for those who have placed their true trust in Jesus, the cross of Calvary stands as a landmark of a changed life forever. Our hope is secured by the fact that the tomb is empty and JESUS IS ALIVE!

There are those who claim they are wise and try to discredit the forgiving work of Jesus Christ because he doesn’t line up to what they think he should be. He didn’t answer a prayer the way they thought he should or the way they would have. They became disgruntled because God did not conform to their image and their set of beliefs and values. Tragedy, loss and grief happened, and they don’t understand why. You see there is a rampant sin problem in the world today. It started way back in the book of Genesis with the fall of man who wanted to do what he wanted even though he was warned not to. Sin entered the world and the degradation of mankind and God’s creation began. God will allow you to do what you want, but don’t get upset with Him when your best laid plans fail and you suffer or the world suffers because they are not following His direction and His standard.

So, what did God do? He provided a way to restore mankind to Him. He sent Jesus to this world. The prophets of the Old Testament prophesied about him. The scriptures pointed toward Him. Even with all of those things the world was still busy doing what they wanted. Jesus came on the scene and lived a perfect sinless life. How did the world respond? By becoming aggravated because he pointed out their sin. He then declared “I AM THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE.” The religious elite denied him but to those that listened they received the promise of salvation and redemption. Jesus was crucified and died and if he were still dead, we would have no hope.

This is where the story becomes amazing. Jesus was raised from the dead. You cannot find his body in a grave in Jerusalem. He is not there. Because Jesus is alive, we have hope. We have restoration. We have forgiveness of our sins. Jesus came to save the lost. That is what we are. We are lost. The hymn Amazing Grace puts it so eloquently. I once was lost but now I am found. I was blind but now I see. I challenge you to fight off the spirit of religiosity and arrogance and let the spirit of God speak to you this Easter. Jesus Christ died for each and every one of us. John says it in chapter 3 that it was not his intent to condemn the world but that through HIM (Jesus) the world would be saved.

Yes, this may seem like utter foolishness to you, but have you noticed you’re still reading this article? There is a reason for that. It’s not because you are trying to prove the cross wrong, but because the cross is still calling to you. The spirit of God is still calling out to you to finally submit your life to him and accept this free gift of salvation. You do not have to stay in the same shape you are in. Begin the conversation with Him. Pray, communicate with God, and let him speak to you. The grave is empty and HOPE IS ALIVE!