The Scope of Hope by: Pastor Todd Thelen

Easter- Resurrection Sunday 

The long awaited, much anticipated season of spring is finally here; and with it, a sense of renewal.  Spring is that season of new life, a time when things come back to life.  It’s as if nature experiences a resurrection.  All of the color, all of the smells, and all of the sounds are evidence of nature’s resurrection – the return of life.  In stark contrast to the silent, scentless season of winter, spring offers a sense of hope.
 
The Bible speaks of a similar, yet more significant sense of hope; a hope that can be embraced and not erased; a hope that endures because it is real.  Its reality is founded on the truth of the resurrection from the dead of Jesus Christ.  Consider I Corinthians 15:3-4 in which the Bible states that “Christ died for our sins,” and that “He was buried,” and that “He rose again the third day.”  All of these events were in accordance with the Scriptures.  Verse 20, of this same chapter, states emphatically that “Christ is risen from the dead.”  Based on the reality of Christ’s resurrection, there is hope in this earthly life, but much more for eternal life.  Jesus’ resurrection from the dead was a victorious conquest over death, and it’s holding place – the grave.  That most formidable foe, death, has been defeated.
 
In I Thessalonians 4:13-18, the Bible further speaks with such an encouraging tone as to the hope that is present, even at the passing of a loved one.  Sure there is sorrow, but it’s not grief absent of hope.  Based on the belief that Jesus died and rose again, there is an anticipated resurrection of the deceased who were believers in Jesus Christ.  This resurrection will be the most memorable family reunion ever – forever!  These words of hope are words of comfort with which we can encourage one another.
 
It’s in the spring, that season of hope and renewal, that we have the annual opportunity to celebrate Jesus Christ’s resurrection.  We call it Easter.  It’s always on a Sunday.  It’s not that it happens to fall on a Sunday.  It’s always on a Sunday because Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week – Sunday.  Sunday is the Lord’s Day.  It is “church” day.  The majority of churches gather on Sunday, the day that reminds us of Jesus’ resurrection.  So, in a sense, every Sunday is an Easter Sunday.  Celebrate each and every Sunday as a weekly reminder of the reality of hope.
 

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