‘He Is Risen—Just As He Said’: Finding Real Hope This Easter — Erica Barthalow
“He is not here, he has risen, JUST AS HE SAID” - Matthew 28:6 (emphasis added)
These are some of my favorite words in the Bible. Without the resurrection what do we have? But I think, for years, I was so focused on the words, HE IS RISEN, that I missed the scene they’re set in almost entirely!
The Mary’s had grieved the loss of their Savior for several days and went to visit his tomb on what would turn out to be an history altering day. But for them, it’s just a day of deep sadness. Until…
An angel appears, rolls away the stone in front of the tomb, invites the ladies to have a look inside, and delivers one of the most stunning lines in the history of humanity. “He is not here, he has risen!”
“He is not here, he has risen”
What a day that must have been. What started in utter devastation, loss, and grief, was transformed into celebration, joy, and a picture of the trustworthiness of God as the angel reminded them that Jesus had risen, just as he said he would!
You see, Jesus had predicted his death several times to his disciples, but also made it clear he would be raised to life again. But grief and sadness can cloud our memories, making fuzzy the things that were once so clear.
Just as the women at the tomb needed to be reminded that everything happened just as Jesus said, so do we.
This Easter season (and beyond), here are some things you can count on to be just as he said:
He will always be with us (Matt. 28:20)
He will turn sorrow into joy (John 16:20)
He prepares a place for us in heaven (John 14:2)
He calls us his friends (John 15:14-15)
He gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16)
And this is only a snapshot. This Easter season carry these words with you. Allow them to germinate hope in your heart. He is risen, JUST AS HE SAID. Amen and amen!
*If you’d like a lovely watercolor print to remind you of this truth, you can check out my Etsy shop here.
