This week is a time of remembering the final days of Jesus. We journey from cheering and praising Jesus on Palm Sunday, to the confusion and fear on Maundy Thursday and then cry "Crucify Him" on Good Friday. Then the waiting begins, the sense of lose, the realization that his death was for me, for my family, for my friends, for the whole world. There is a feeling of despair on Good Friday (named for our good, not Christ's).
Then the roller coaster turns up, the elaborate joy on Easter morning is indescribable. You have to experience it. Hollywood is made the resurrection a thing of zombies; but we Christians know better. The resurrection of the body is eternal life with God and Christ where we sit around the great banquet table, and realize the promise of Revelation 21 has become true:
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; 4he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away." 5And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.
This is not a scary vision; it is a hope filled promise. One that gives each believer energy and hope in the darkest of times.
God is good, all the time.
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