Because He Lives

Today is Easter.  This is the day that we celebrate Jesus' resurrection from the dead and His victory over sin and death.  Today is a happy day.

Today also is a sad day.  Bev Sundett, who many of you have prayed for, died.  Please pray for her family during this hard time.  What a strange feeling her family must have on this Easter.  They remember Jesus' victory over death while morning the death of a mother and wife.  As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 6:10 "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing."

I'm sad for the Sundett family but I know that Easter is for them.  Easter happened for me, for you and for the Sundett's.  Through Christ's resurrection we can say alongside Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:55

"Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?"

Jesus rose and we rise with Him.  We have eternal life because of what He did during His life, in His death and in His resurrection.  We have hope because of what Christ has done.

That being said, don't try to soften the grief that the Sundetts are feeling by saying simple phrases like, "Don't worry, she's in a better place now" or "We can be happy today because we know that she's with Jesus."  Of course those things are true, but we need to let people mourn.  Remember at Lazarus' grave Jesus wept.  So just cry with them and be with them in person and in spirit.

But because of Jesus' resurrection we have hope.  My hope is not just that He rose; my hope is because He lives.  See, Jesus didn't just rise, He arose from the grave and is currently reigning over all things.  My hope is that my Lord lives for me today.

Here's a song from this morning's worship that illustrated what I'm talking about.

Have hope.  Jesus lives for you today.