Take Heart! Hope is Here.

Take heart! Hope is here.

In the midst of a time that holds much uncertainty and little hope for some, we’d like to take a moment to reflect on the sovereignty of the One that was nailed to a cross to rescue our souls, and the simple, but life-altering truth that the same power that rose Jesus from the dead is within us!

Several times throughout the account of Jesus’ death and resurrection, He predicts with complete accuracy what would take place and requires complete obedience from those who followed Him.

At the beginning of Matthew 21, Jesus gives instructions to two of His disciples to go and bring a donkey and her colt. These would be instrumental in Jesus’ triumphal entry. “The disciples went and did exactly what Jesus told them to do.” (Matt. 21.6 MSG)

Just as Jesus said.

In Matthew 26 Jesus’ disciples ask Him where they should prepare the Passover meal. Jesus gives them specific instructions. In verse 19 we read, “The disciples followed Jesus’ instructions to the letter and prepared the Passover meal.” (MSG)

Just as Jesus said.

During the Passover meal, Jesus reveals that one in attendance would betray Him. Judas gave the sign in the Garden of Gethsemane with a kiss to the One to be seized.

Just as Jesus said.

Before betrayal in the Garden, Jesus tells Peter that he would deny His Lord three times before the rooster crowed. “Then he [Peter] got really nervous…. ‘I don’t know the man!’ Just then a rooster crowed.” (Matt. 26.74 MSG)

Just as Jesus said.

There is much despair as the Son of God is charged, beaten, and nailed to a cross. However, hope would come.

Just as Jesus said.

In Matthew 16, Jesus reveled the plan to His disciples. “… it was now necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, submit to an ordeal of suffering at the hands of the religious leaders, be killed, and then on the third day be raised up alive.” (v. 21 MSG)

And after much darkness…just as Jesus said, my friend, HE ROSE! “Suddenly the earth reeled and rocked under their feet as God’s angel came down from heaven…He rolled back the stone and then sat on it. Shafts of lightning blazed from him. His garments shimmered snow-white. …The angel spoke to the women: ‘There is nothing to fear here. I know you’re looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised just as he said.’” (Matt. 28.2-6 MSG, emphasis mine)

Happy Easter, friends!! He is risen.

JUST AS HE SAID.

Our precious Savior gave His life to save us from an eternity separated from the Father. We find incredible hope in knowing that our destiny is secure, and our day-to-day life while uncertain, is NEVER out of the hands of our Lord!

Take heart! He is risen! He is risen indeed. Just as He said.

Rejoicing in His Resurrection,

Jamia, Joel, Megan

Your Joni and Friends Ohio staff