Hope

Today is a huge day for those of us who have a personal relationship with a Man named Jesus. Well, not today...but what today represents. Today represents Resurrection Day. Easter. It is what makes our Jesus worth knowing.

I'm not a theologian. I'm not a preacher. I'm not a Biblical scholar. And I'm not religious. But I am a follower.

A follower of a God that is alive. I follow Truth. Because I know It's True.

One day when I was teaching at a Christian school, a student in my Bible class asked me what was more important -- Good Friday or Easter Sunday. We were very cautious as teachers of Bible classes to speak truth, but handle doctrinal issues with care, because so many denominations were represented in the school where I was. I remember turning the question on him (as all good teachers like to do!!) and asking him what he thought, before answering for myself. I remember him telling me that he felt like Good Friday was the most significant, because without it, we would be dead in our sin. Another student, who was listening to the conversation, piped in and said that he agreed with that.

I remember moving on to another topic without really giving my opinion, giving a blanket answer of, "Both days are significant for our faith, both giving meaning and hope." And then going on with class.

I have thought about that numerous times since that day several years ago, posing the question to myself. Which day is more significant?

Again....I'm no Biblical scholar....just a daughter of a King that is alive.

But every time I pose the question to myself, the cross is vivid in my mind, but then my mind drifts to a rock on a hill that is rolled from its place of permanency....because the One who was supposed to stay permanently in the hill, rose up and left.

My life is one that is littered with sin happenings and stumblings down roads I had no business traveling. I've made mistakes that will have lifelong earthly consequences for me, and there are some days that Satan beats me to such a pulp with guilt that I feel like I can't even get off of the floor. But then I am picked up. And the memories of my sin are replaced with joy. And my burdens of consequence are made lighter.

Because the One who lightens my load, and replaces my shame with joy, and picks me up off the floor is the One that did that rising and leaving.

What Jesus did for me on the cross makes me weak in the knees. I weep at the thought of his nail-pierced hands. I tremble at the image of his crown of thorns. I know what the cross represents. I can feel it in the very core of who I am. I'm different because of what my Jesus did that day. And I can't even wrap my head around his massive awesomeness.

But what I do know is that it didn't stop that Friday at the cross. God the Father never planned for Calvary to be the end. Because we weren't created to be in relationship with a god that is dead. To love a god that would take death away from us, but then have to remain dead himself.

No, it didn't end on the cross that day, because my Jesus is big. He is bigger than me. He is bigger than my sin. And He is bigger than death. And He is bigger than the one that tried to hold Him there.

So do I hold the cross dear? Absolutely! Because the cross gave me my freedom.

But do I hold the tomb dear? For sure! Because that tomb gives me my hope.

My Jesus is Alive. He isn't housed in shrines or temples. I don't have to visit a grave to offer gifts of thanksgiving. I don't have to build a statue to remember him by. Because He's Alive.

And because He's Alive.....I have Hope.

And Hope is good. Very, very good.

I hope you know my Jesus. Because He is just that awesome! If you want to know more about my Jesus, email me....and I will be happy to introduce you to Him! He already knows you....He's just been waiting for you to want to meet Him!

Have a Blessed Resurrection Sunday!