Fear, doubt and unbelief seemed to grip the room. No one said a word. I could hear the sound of the others in the room but the darkness hid their faces. Were they filled with the same thoughts that invaded my mind? Thump, thump, thump. I held my hand up to my chest to try to calm the racing of my heart.

“What if, what if this was all there was? What if we were all going to be killed for what we held as truth? What would be the purpose of it all? What would be the purpose of healing the sick, raising the dead, teaching hope for eternity if it all ended with the death of our teacher and our friend? He had brought such hope. Did it just end? Was it over?”

We cannot even imagine the long drawn out hours from the time of Jesus’ death until the day of his resurrection.

We do not know the lies and thoughts that may have penetrated the minds of the disciples and followers the hours that followed his death. They may have seemed so bleak and hopeless.

Three years prior had been glorious! Miracles took place daily. New hope had risen throughout the nation. Jesus spoke with so much wisdom. That kind of wisdom hadn’t been heard of for hundreds of years.

He heard from God!

He taught, encouraged and healed anyone who wanted it. Even the religious and government leaders were stunned by his wisdom.

Just prior to his death, Jesus was riding on a donkey through Jerusalem with what appeared to be victory. Things couldn’t have been better. People adored him!

“The crowd that went ahead of him and that were following him were shouting,
“‘Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Matthew 21:9 (GWT)

People were waving palm branches and laying out their coats for him. All was glorious.

Then one night, it seemed to take a turn for the worse. Jesus had warned them of this moment. But he also said he would rise from the dead.

Now I ask you, what have you been going through that seems dark, hopeless and desperate?

What was the purpose of following your Lord? There was a time when all may have seemed glorious and you were on top of your game. But then an unforeseen moment came knocking on your door and suddenly your circumstances appeared dark, and your hopes felt like they died and your dreams seemed to be unreachable.

It may seem like God is s…l…o..o..o…w about his promises and you might really feel like you are walking through molasses as you wait for his response. Yet the word paints a different picture.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

He hears the cries of your heart.

Remember:

ON THE THIRD DAY……HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD!!!!!

Your days may seem dark. Your dreams may seem bleak. But DO NOT give up!

THE SAME SPIRIT THAT RAISED CHRIST FROM THE DEAD LIVES IN YOU!!! (Romans 8:11)

Do you even understand how powerful that statement is?

The disciples and other followers of Christ may have not understood right away what was actually taking place the day Jesus died. But their dreams had not died.

Jesus had to die on this earth in order to take the sins of mankind into the pit of hell where he left them.

He did it to steal the keys of death from the enemy of darkness. AND HE DID IT WITH VICTORY.

If we could grasp that the trials we face are temporary and that there really is victory in Christ, we could see with eyes of understanding.

Like Jesus, I say to the darkness that would try to choke me, to the fear that thinks it can befriend me or to the lies that attempt to take space in my mind, “Get behind me satan. You are a stumbling-block to me. (Matthew 16:23)

Remember: JESUS DID NOT STAY IN THAT GRAVE!

So be of good courage followers of Christ. Speak life over your situation and hope into your soul. And share this hope with those who have not tasted his goodness.

Your hope is not dead. HE IS ALIVE!Happy Resurrection Sunday!

God Bless.