Living Hope
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. 1 Peter 1:3‑4
Easter is a great celebration of life and hope. It’s the ultimate story of new life springing from the darkness, a reminder that God can overcome the worst that life has to offer. Easter seems even more poignant this year as we have begun, slowly but surely, to work our way back to normalcy. I vividly remember Easter morning last year and how strange it felt standing in an empty sanctuary. Now we look forward to living a life not marked by restrictions but filled with possibilities. That’s the life that Jesus gave us through His resurrection, a life of infinite possibilities.
Jesus’s resurrection is the greatest event in human history. We rejoice that His resurrection gives us the assurance of eternal life. However, the resurrection of Jesus is not just about overcoming death. It is about new life that restores all things. The risen Christ gives us a living hope. We can live our lives with abandon in believing that what we do here and now has eternal significance. N.T. Wright affirms that we should live our lives “building for the kingdom.”
We believe that the way that we treat others, serve others, and seek justice today will somehow be carried forward into eternity. In other words, we should live our lives with the confidence that what we do on this day and every day has eternal significance. Easter is not just meant to be celebrated annually. It is meant to be celebrated daily. So let the celebration of the resurrection continue on as we demonstrate the living hope of Jesus in our lives.
For Reflection
Do you know people who have demonstrated “living hope” through their actions?
In what ways might you celebrate the hope of the resurrection in your life?
Prayer
Lord, we thank You for Your grace, because we know that all good things in this life come through Your mercy for us. We thank You for what You did for us on the cross and for our inheritance as Your children. We know that because of Your steadfast love, this gift can never perish, spoil, or fade. Lord, help us live our lives as a celebration of this hope. Amen.