Lenten Reflection Day 36

• 

The resurrection of Jesus is meaningful to us on many levels. One of those being a great symbol of hope.

The Israelites had been waiting for God’s answer to their longing for salvation. Long had they kept watch in search of the messiah. Jesus was not at all what they expected and yet the miracles He worked, His teachings, and His knowledge of the Jewish law became for many devout Jews the obvious answer of God. Jesus was the physical embodiment of all they had hoped for. How joyous they must have felt being in His presence. His death challenged their belief in Him until His blessed resurrection was made known. This had to cement for them the certainty of their own resurrection, which in itself would give hope of an eternity shared with God.

We, as followers of Jesus, are able to share in this excitement of the promise of our own resurrection. Jesus was able to conquer death and in so doing open up the gates of Heaven. We are assured that if we live our lives according to the laws of God we too will experience eternity with Him. This hope in an eternity spent in Heaven enables us to persevere each day in living holy lives. The hope of eternal happiness fuels our commitment in following the laws of God. The hope of sharing an eternity with our loved ones motivates us to help others to follow the ways of God.

Hope as it turns out is a great catalyst for salvation.

This Holy Week let us be filled with hope. Hope in our own resurrections at the end of our earthly lives, hope that God’s people around the world will be moved to a deeper love of Him, hope that our world will heal during this pandemic, and that people will return to God in resounding numbers. Hope for an end to suffering, violence, poverty, suffering, and injustice.

We are people of hope, emboldened by the resurrection. May we spend this week thanking God for His tremendous gift of hope and to be with us on our faith journeys.

May He help restore our ability to hope in Him.

Blessings to You and Yours!