By: Dr. T.G. Day, MD
“And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.” -St. Luke 23: 45, 46-
What does Easter mean to you? For some, this is a time for Easter Egg Hunts, and the exchange of Easter baskets with bunnies. But for many others, this is the remembrance of the greatest events of Jesus Christ; the betrayal, the judgement, the crucifixion, and rising from the dead.
“Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. And bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst”. -John 19: 16-18-
“And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” -Luke 22:41-44-
There was excruciating pain that Jesus suffered, but he was willing to bear it, so that God’s will could be done.
Pain, stress, disease, sickness, heartache, anxiety, fear, anger, loneliness, brokenness, hopelessness, abuse, addiction, betrayal, and denial are all things and more that Jesus suffered, but conquered on the cross, so there is hope if we encounter these situations in life.
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” -Isaiah 53:5-
There are so many pains in this world that we encounter. There are sorrows that we face, and it can feel overwhelming. But, you don’t have to walk alone, and there is no situation that is hopeless because of the victory Jesus Christ won. Easter is a great time to reflect and share the hope that believers have because of Jesus! “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that believing ye might have life through his name.” -John 20:31-