Hope Restored

It was over. They had staked their lives on the possibilities that were before them. Now they could only huddle in the darkness of total emotional defeat. They had based their hope in a person. He was gone as was that hope and now they were enveloped in despair.

Just a few days earlier it appeared that the victory was at hand. The crowds had cheered him and they were his closest friends, his entourage. By association with him they were significant. How quickly their world changed from jubilation to desperation. Words of bravery were turned to words of denial and defeat. Those who had stood boldly with him now cowed because of their association with him.

They had heard the crowds cry hosanna to the highest in his presence. On the morning following his arrest they undoubtedly heard the crowd scream crucify him in his face. Now he was dead. His death was not only unexplainable in their minds; it was mercilessly brutal in its nature. How could he who had done so much good, who had demonstrated such kindness, who had helped so many be so malevolently treated?

He was hastily buried and his tomb guarded by soldiers lest they steal his body. It was not in their nature to steal the body. More so, it was not in their broken hearts. It would serve no purpose. He was gone as was their hope that he was going to redeem Israel.

Then the darkness was shattered. As the sun rose on that first day of the week it became known that the Son had risen on that first day. They saw Him, talked to Him, touched Him, and even ate with Him. He was alive. He is alive. Hope is restored because the victory was His. These followers became totally different people because of the victory He had won. And today we can say, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (I Corinthians 15:57-58)