It’s hard to imagine the level of joy and hope Jesus’ followers felt when they encountered the risen Lord. They had been crushed by His arrest, torture, and death. They were scared, confused, hopeless, and lost. Nothing mattered anymore. Then Jesus showed up!
Jesus showed up in their fear and confusion!
When the women discovered the empty tomb and heard the angel proclaim, “He has risen just as He said He would,” they were scared and confused. It didn’t make sense. It was too good to be true. What really happened to Jesus’ body? What would they tell the others? Then Jesus showed up. In their confusion and fear, He came along and gently greeted and comforted them. “Greetings! Don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 28:9-10)
Jesus showed up in their hopelessness!
When two of Jesus’ followers were walking along the road lamenting over the events of the last few days, they felt hopeless and were struggling to understand. The One who had come to save them was dead and buried. Where would they go from here? Then Jesus showed up. He walked alongside them and revealed to them the truth about who He is. (Luke 24:27)
“Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering His glory?” Luke 24:26 NLT
Jesus showed up in their despair and doubt!
When the disciples were together trying to come to grips with the fact Jesus was gone, they had no idea what they would do next. They left everything to follow Jesus, and now He was gone. They were going to have to return to their old lives. Everything they had hoped for died on the cross with Jesus. Then Jesus showed up. He offered them peace and gave them purpose.
“Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so I am sending you.” John 20:21 NLT
When Thomas heard the news, he thought they were crazy. He would rather hold on to his despair because at least it made sense. A risen Lord was just too good to be true. Then Jesus showed up and told Thomas to believe.
“Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” John 20:27 NLT
Jesus is still alive! He still shows up in our lives today and that changes everything.
When we are scared or confused, He shows up to comfort us.
When we feel hopeless and are struggling to understand what’s happening, He shows up to remind us of His presence and His promises.
When we feel overwhelmed and can’t find direction, He shows up. He gives us peace and show us the way to go.
When we are lost in despair and doubting it all, He shows up and reminds us that He will never leave our side.
Don’t confine the Resurrection Celebration to one day of the year. Hold on to it in every moment of your life. The fact that your Savior is alive and at work on your behalf changes everything!
But because Jesus lives forever, His priesthood lasts forever. Therefore He is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through Him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. – Hebrews 7:24-25 NLT
