The Hope of Easter

I don’t know what faith tradition you may follow, but it seems to me that the story of Easter should bring hope to everyone. Easter is the story of a man who came to tell of a kingdom unlike any the world had seen before and unlike most could comprehend. This Kingdom grew and established itself not by brute force, but by giving and serving from a position of humility (which was often perceived as weakness), offering hope to the weak, to the helpless and even to those too proud to see they needed help. 
   
Jesus’ tried to demonstrate that his Kingdom was not based on human strength or reasoning...his Kingdom was upside down. Love those who hate you. Forgive those who wrong you. Put the needs of others before the needs of yourself. 
   
​It’s easy enough to find all that Jesus said about this Kingdom, but here’s the point I want to make today about the HOPE of the Easter story. God’s ways (the Kingdom Jesus came to tell about) are not our ways and God ALWAYS writes the final chapter...no matter how things may look along the way.
   
“Good Friday” seems like a bit of an oxymoron. It’s the day Jesus was put to death. His followers believed in him, yet somehow he died and it seemed all hope was lost. Saturday...Jesus was still dead like every other man who ever died. But Sunday...Jesus rose from the dead, proving not only that he was who he said he was, but also proving that God ALWAYS has the last word. God is not limited to doing things the way we do them (or think they should be done).
   
I don’t know how you are holding up during this time of craziness in our world, but if you feel like you’re fading...if it feels like Friday, remember God always has the last word. If you look at your life and say, “This isn’t where I thought I’d be at this point” or “I’ve really blown it”, remember what Saturday must have felt like to Jesus’ followers. But on Sunday, God had the final word.
   
I am praying for you this week. I believe in the God of hope...the God of Easter. If there is every any way I can encourage you or pray with you, please let me know. 
   
Your service is appreciated,
​Pastor Rob