As I woke up this morning, reflecting on the Easter story — my mind scrolled back to the rehearsal for this event — the story of Jesus raising his friend Lazarus from the dead. 

Despite receiving a message from Martha that her brother Lazarus was sick, Jesus arrived, seemingly, too late. By the time he showed up, Lazarus had already been dead for four days.

²³ Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

²⁴ Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.  – John 11:23-25

Martha’s theology and eschatology were sound.
She believed the right things in the right way.

The problem was — she had hope for the future, but no real hope for the day.
Her hope was theological and spiritual — but not practical.

At Easter — its easy to just focus on the theology of the crucifixion and the resurrection – that Jesus is the propitiation for our sins, demonstrating His deity and authority over sin, death and the devil. This is a right focus, and a glorious thing!

But sometimes  – we also need some meat and potatoes — a real pragmatic, practical hope. 

When we hope in Jesus — we get both. Jesus not only rose from the dead conquering sin, death and the devil — He IS the resurrection and the life.

Our situation may seem grim.
Our hope may be shattered.
But Jesus is more than just a future hope — He is a practical hope, a “…very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1).

Jesus doesn’t just have power over death and the grave — he has power over my dead circumstances, my seemingly dead ends, and my dead dreams.

Jesus wants to breathe life into your situation and your circumstances.
He wants to infuse victory into your struggle.
Jesus wants you to look forward to tomorrow, just as much as eternity.

Jesus IS the resurrection and the life and the Power of God for today. 

Romans 15:13 says  – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus came to give us hope that overflows.

How do we find that practical hope though?

We find joy and peace and hope — when we trust in the person of Jesus.
To be THE Resurrection and the life for our future, as well as our today and tomorrow.

Jesus said to Martha “The one who believes in me will live…” (John 11:25)

In every circumstance, and in the everyday — get on your face before the Lord in a quiet place, and bring your circumstances before the Lord, and say —

“I believe in you Jesus.
I believe that you are the Resurrection and the life not just for my future — but for today.”

I encourage you today — hope in Jesus. Put your trust in Him. And you will find joy, peace and a hope that overflows in Jesus – the living Resurrection.