Jesus, all powerful Son of God, laid down His life for us - but that was not the end of the story. Jesus' friends despaired at his death, but Easter - and joy - was coming in the morning.
Their world had been turned upside down. The unthinkable had just happened. Jesus had been killed.
He had been stripped, humiliated, mocked, whipped, stabbed in the head with a crown of thorns, then nailed to a cross where he bled and died. And then for good measure, just to remove any bit of doubt, a soldier thrust a spear into Jesus’ side. The crowd watched the blood and water pour out of his already lifeless body. It all happened publicly. There was no room for doubt. Jesus’ closest followers knew that he had been killed and they were shaken to the core.
Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. Mark 13:31
What a turn of events. Jesus seemed invincible! His disciples had been with him as he demolished one impossible problem after another. No money or supplies to feed a hungry multitude? Just hand Jesus five small loaves and two strips of fish; he’ll bless it, multiply it and feed the crowd with plenty to spare. When faced with sickness, Jesus healed. When faced with death, he gave life. No boat? No problem! Jesus walked on water. When an angry mob tried to attack, he simply stepped through the frustrated crowd and continued on his way. Rudely rejected by a Samaritan city? We’ll show them, thought two of his disciples - we’ll ask Jesus if we could strike them with fire from heaven (Luke 9:54). Though Jesus corrected them over that dark thought, their perspective was unmistakeable: No one can touch us when we are with Jesus.
But then, late Thursday night, it all came unglued and they fled in fear. By the following evening, Jesus had been killed, and his disciples went into hiding. They were shaken, mourning, and weeping. They were hunkered down behind closed doors in fear, wondering what to do next. They had learned so much from Jesus, but somehow missed one of his foundational teachings: “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” (Mark 13:31)
Jesus explained that he would be killed, but would rise again within a few short days. His disciples heard Jesus explain it more than once. But somehow they missed it, they just couldn’t process it. They failed to understand the power of Jesus’ words. His greatest triumph, and their greatest triumph, was just a few short hours away. Jesus had taught them about the power of scripture; Psalm 130 could have sustained them: “I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.” (Ps 130:5). But in their moment of despair, they should have kept their focus on Jesus - Easter was only one day away. What about you? Where will you put your hope?
Today’s prayer
Jesus said that even though heaven and earth will pass away, his words will not! Let's thank God for His word, His wonderful truths, and put our hope in Him. Pray and reach out to God today -
Heavenly Father, Thank you that the words of Jesus are faithful and true. Thank you that they are available to me and I can read them in the Bible. Thank you for all the wonderful truths that you have made available to me. Now, help me to trust in Jesus. Help me to trust in Jesus’ word. Guide me as as I reflect on the truth in your scriptures. Let your truth empower me so that I can live a victorious life. Help me grow, so that I can declare with confidence, “I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait, and I hope in his word.” Amen
Ready to learn more?
Read the gospels for a full account of the life of Jesus and the Easter story. Draw close to God and He will draw close to you - what a wonderful promise! Reach out to him through His word and learn more.