The resurrection of Jesus is a story that never gets old. 

As I spend another Easter at home here in Brazil, I think of the times that I’ve felt like my hope was lost. We see it in movies all the time; the hero is gone and everyone is wondering how on earth this could end well. We see it in the Bible as well. After Jesus’ death, we find the disciples returning to their regular lives. This man whom they had followed for 3 years was dead; what else were they supposed to do? 

I’ve seen this story play out so many times in my own life. Just a month ago, we were expecting to start opening up and churches were having normal services. Then suddenly, we’ve found ourselves in quarantine again; one year later. When faced with situations like this, I find myself praying, “Lord, how will this be okay in the end? How can you make this good?”

But somehow, He always acts. When we think there’s no way things will be better, hope returns. When they least expected it, He rose from the dead. Suddenly, hope was alive.

The resurrection for me is a reminder of the hope that we can have in Jesus. Even when we’re walking through the darkest seasons of our lives and we can’t seem to find our way back home, there is always a light guiding us. When it seems that all is lost, we can look at the resurrection and remind ourselves that there’s always hope, as long as we’re willing to look for it. It may not always come the way we imagine, but we can know that it’s on the way. We just need to trust Him. He’s the God who can bring the dead to life; He can resurrect a hopeless situation as well.

I love how Peter calls Jesus a “living hope” (1 Pt. 1:3). It’s active. It’s not a hope that has an end or that can die. It’s alive. 

Maybe recently you’ve found yourself in that place. Maybe right now you feel lost and can’t seem to find a way out. Or you’re just so broken that you don’t know if you’ll ever be whole again. I want to encourage you that you can hope and trust in Jesus, even when it seems like the story has ended. 

His story didn’t end at the tomb, and neither does yours. Your story isn’t over yet.