“Joy comes in the morning.”
– Psalm 30:5
For days, Jesus’ followers had huddled together to make some sense of their new reality. They had seen the friend, teacher and savior nailed to a cross and buried.
Seemingly, with their dead friend, was all the their hopes and dreams.
This morning seemed to be just as the one before.
But they could not be more mistaken.
“3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.”
– 1 Cor 15:3-7
Like a clap of thunder, everything changed. The words, “He’s back!!” pierced the sad silence and stirred their hearts to a desire to believe.
Could it be? He said he would! (Luke 18:31-33)
In a twinkling of an eye, everything was different, new. And there he was in their mist.
This was the new reality! He took on death and killed it! He took our sins and slain it. He brought back hope, purpose and life. To all who will trust and obey him, he offers his salvation.
Yes, he is gone, but just like before, he promises to return! (John 14:1-3)
One morning, like a clap of thunder, everything will change! Because, He’s back! But this time, he is taking us with him!
“Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
– Matthew 24:44
Be ready!
“50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
– 1 Cor. 15:50-58