Easter
Jesus had suffered through the scourging and was nailed to the cross. Miraculously, through all He had endured, He was still breathing. The disciples and Jesus’ mother, Mary, held onto hope that this wasn’t the end. But then they heard it – His final words on the cross, “It is finished.” (John 19:30)
Can you imagine how the weight of those three words affected the lives of so many?
>Religious Leaders - In that moment, those that had been set on destroying this man, Jesus, whose very presence caused people to think for themselves and evaluate their need of a Savior, were relieved. It was done and they would not be bothered by Him anymore.
>Satan - As for Satan and all his demons, I can only imagine that there was a party going on in the pits of Hell. This man, Jesus, who was a terror for Satan and his evil works, with His message of love and hope was gone. Satan thought he had won. God’s plan was finished, and Jesus was dead.
>Jesus’ mother, Disciples and Followers - All of those who had chosen to believe in Jesus were devastated. It was over. All hope was gone. They had been with Jesus for three years, following Him closely, listening, believing, and sharing His teachings. And now He was dead. What would they do? Where would they go?
Of course, we know that this is not the end of the story. The Bible tells us that Jesus’ body was buried in a tomb and on the third day, He was resurrected overcoming death, hell and the grave. It was a huge victory and Satan had not won! The work of the cross was completed in the resurrection and victory had been won.
Different passages in the New Testament tells us that Jesus appeared to the women and the disciples. But even with this, the disciples faced the question, “What do we do now?” They had been with Jesus constantly and now He was not walking with them, teaching them as before. They still did not connect all that Jesus told them to what had happened and what was to come. So, what did they do? They did what they knew: they went back to fishing.
I can’t be too hard on the disciples because I too would have probably written those three years off as a valuable experience and now, it’s time to go back to reality. Back to work and life as usual.
But Jesus loved them. Jesus had called them to follow Him and make disciples, and Jesus wouldn’t leave them in their despair. He gave the disciples a miraculous catch of fish, had breakfast with them and then asked Peter, the one who denied Jesus three times, this question, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” (John 21:15)
The message of the Cross and the Resurrection is more than a good story. It is the essence of the Gospel – the message of hope for this world. Because Jesus loved us so much that He laid down His life, we have been granted a gift that is freely given to all who will believe on the Lord Jesus and receive eternal life.
Yet, I think that there are those who believe following Jesus is unattainable. So, they just keep doing what they know to do – living in the mundane misery of hopelessness, addiction, just working – not living but merely existing.
But! Just as Jesus spoke to Peter, He calls to you and ask, “Do you love me?” A simple question that is directed at all. You may have rejected Him and this salvation message in the past, but the invitation and message of hope still stands. Jesus came to offer hope and everlasting life to all who will believe. Trust in Jesus today – receive Him as Lord and Savior and celebrate the victory He gives us over sin and death! (I Corinthians 15:57)
