The Promise of a New Life & Hope

In its simplest form, the Easter message is one of new life and hope:

When Jesus died, which we remember on Good Friday, hope seemed lost for his followers. Many had spent three years as close friends, had seen miraculous events and Jesus was promised to be “the hope of all the world”, but on Good Friday he was hung on a cross and buried in a grave. The followers were traumatised, heartbroken, and frightened.

And yet, three days later, Jesus rose from the grave, overcoming death itself.

This is where I have placed my hope for about 30 years since this ‘story’ became true to me. I know that God meets us in our challenging and hopeless places and gives us hope. I’ve seen it in my own life and in the lives of many others.

Even out of our heartache, there is hope for restoration and redemption….even in our most difficult or devastating times. Jesus died and was placed in a tomb. To the outside world, it seemed pretty hopeless. Jesus’ family, friends and followers watched him die and “went home in deep sorrow”.

But God was at work.

The resurrection of Jesus on the third day, Easter Sunday, is evidence of that. Jesus came back to life and offers us the gift of a new life with him. A bit like a seed unseen in the ground over winter, we can’t see what is going on beneath the surface of hard times and heartache, and yet we know that Spring is coming and the seed comes to life. In the same way, we can have hope that good things are still to come.

God’s promises are for anyone and everyone. He offers hope and eternal life with Him. No one is outside God’s love and the new life we can have through Jesus. This salvation isn’t something that we must earn. It’s a free gift offered to everyone who chooses to simply accept it.

Wishing you all an Easter full of hope,

Rev Vikki